Erin Hamlin

Erin Hamlin

Hamlin in February 2010
Personal information
Born	November 19, 1986 (1986-11-19) (age 30)
Medal record Women's Luge Representing the  United States Olympic Games 2014 Sochi Singles World Championships 2009 Lake Placid Women's singles

Erin Mullady Hamlin^[1] (born 19 November 1986) is a three-time Olympian^[2] and the first female American luger to medal at any Winter Olympics, as well as the first American of either gender to medal in singles competition.^[3][4] She took the singles bronze medal in Sochi's 2014 Winter Olympics, something the Associated Press called "a feat that will surely go down as perhaps the greatest moment in USA Luge history".^[5]

Having opened her luging career in 2005, her first major international victory was the gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2009 FIL World Luge Championships in Lake Placid, New York. This marked the first time in 99 races that a German woman was not the top finisher.^[6]

Hamlin finished 12th in the women's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. She was selected in December 2009 to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. In the games, Hamlin placed 16th in the luge competition, coming in as the highest placed American in the event.^[2]

A native of Remsen, New York, Hamlin also makes her home in Lake Placid. She is the daughter of Eileen and Ronald Hamlin who both reside in Remsen.

In 2009, Hamlin became a spokesperson for the National Headache Foundation in the wake of her suffering migraine headaches.^[2]

Early Career:

Erin Hamlin was a student who graduated in 2004 from Remsen High school in Remsen, New York. At age 12 Erin Hamlin took an interest in the luge sport. Later on she attended the U.S. Luge Screening Camp in Syracuse, NY. By age 17 Hamlin managed to win a gold medal at the Junior National Luge Championship that was held in Lake Placid, NY. At this event Hamlin “finished first in the women's singles race with a two-run time of 1-minute, 34.097 seconds.”^[7]

In 2004 Hamlin had won ten medals in five years of racing. Hamlin raced in the Junior World Cups which took place in Germany and Austria.^[7] She also participated in the Junior World Championships. When she participated in 2004s Junior World Cups she placed seventh. This meant Hamlin was a U.S. junior national luge champion. Elizabeth Cooper, an Observer-Dispatch reporter, states, “She received a standing ovation from the legislature [Joe Griffo] for her accomplishments” At this time Hamlin was on the U.S. Junior National Team for two years. This allowed her to travel throughout Europe and race against girls from other countries.^[8]

“In 2004, Hamlin was named a Teen All-Star by the Observer-Dispatch and said her career goal was to compete in the Olympics.” In 2006, her goal became reality. Her community rallied for fundraisers to benefit Hamlin to help give her the appropriate funds needed for her to attend the Olympic Games held in Italy.^[9] Italy was not the only Olympic Games Hamlin competed in. In 2010, she participated in the Olympic Games held in Vancouver, Canada. Then in 2014 she competed and got the bronze medal in Sochi, Russia.

Now Hamlin is considered to be a hometown hero. Upon her return from Sochi she received a warm welcome from friends, family, and fans.^[10] Hamlin has been recognized for her achievements and was honored in many different ways. Hamlin became an honorary chairwoman for the Oneida County Total Health Initiative.^[11] Also, Hamlin received the honor to drop the ceremonial puck at a Utica College men's hockey game.^[12] Coming from a small town Hamlin has become an inspiration for many.

References

External links

• Official website
• 2006 luge women's singles results
• FIL-Luge profile
• United States Olympic Committee profile
• USA Luge.org profile
• Yahoo! Sports profile for the 2006 Winter Olympics at the Wayback Machine (archived October 15, 2012)