Paul Hildgartner (born 8 June 1952 in Chienes) is an Italian former luger who competed from the early 1970s to the late 1980s. Competing in five Winter Olympics, he earned two gold medals (Men's doubles: 1972, Men's singles: 1984) and one silver medal (Men's singles: 1980) for his efforts. Hildgartner was the flag bearer for Italy in the 1984 Winter Olympics and the 1988 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies.[1]
Hildgartner also won five medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with two golds (Men's singles: 1978, Men's doubles: 1971) and three bronzes (Men's singles: 1979, 1983; Men's doubles: 1973). Additionally, he won six medals at the FIL European Luge Championships with four golds (Men's singles: 1978, 1984; Men's doubles: 1971, 1974), one silver (Men's singles: 1979), and one bronze (Mixed team: 1988). He also won the Luge World Cup overall title in men's singles in 1978-9, 1980-81 (tied with fellow Italian Ernst Haspinger), and 1982-3.[2]
Hildgartner is the only person to win a gold medal in men's singles luge and doubles luge at the Winter Olympics, FIL World Luge Championships, and FIL European Luge Championships. He was among the first inductees into the International Luge Federation (FIL) Hall of Fame in 2004, along with Klaus Bonsack and Margit Schumann.
Following the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, the 17th turn at Cesana Pariol where the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events took place was renamed in his honour.