Born: 28 September 1945

Birthplace: Sainte Maxime (France)

Nationality: France

Sport: Skiing

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Innsbruck 1964

Grenoble 1968

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 2

Silver: 1

Other results:

World Championships

Gold: 4 (62, 66)

Silver: 2 (62, 66)

Conquering the Gates and Tricking the Press

On 1 February 1964, 18-year-old Marielle Goitschel finished second in the Olympic slalom. The only woman to beat her was her older sister, Christine. Two days later, Marielle won the gold medal in the giant slalom, while Christine tied for second place. After their victory, Marielle announced to the press that she had just become engaged to a soon-to-be-famous skier named John-Claude Killy. The happy news spread around the world. Then it was discovered that the story was really a practical joke that the Goitschel sisters had invented the night before - fully confident that one of them would win the gold medal. Marielle returned to the Olympics in 1968 and won another gold medal, this time in the slalom race.