Exceptional skier, exceptional life story: Marco Odermatt is opening up like never before in an unconventional book format.
Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo – Marco Odermatt is now more than just an elite athlete on skis. To understand why the Swiss star can consistently push his limits in major competitions, one must look within – at his heart. With a resting pulse of around 40 beats per minute, Odermatt possesses a physiological trait rarely seen even in top-level sports.
While the average adult resting pulse is between 60 and 80, Odermatt’s heart works with exceptional efficiency. It pumps an unusually large amount of blood per beat, reliably supplying the muscles with oxygen even under maximum exertion. The result: stability, endurance, and control – a major advantage. With his efficient resting pulse, Odermatt has a strong chance at achieving his dream of downhill gold at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games (Live Ticker here).
Odermatt’s Heart Beats Extremely Efficiently
He consistently gives his all, Odermatt emphasizes. “I am an athlete who always gives 100 percent, and yet I wish to remain a nice person, humble and do something with my friends,” he said in an interview with NBC. This balance between maximum competitive drive and down-to-earthness defines him. This was evident recently at the Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbühel, where, despite taking significant risks, he was once again denied the coveted victory on the Streif.
Schedule for the Olympic Winter Games
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Seven hundredths of a second separated him from Giovanni Franzoni. Odermatt showed emotion, wept at the award ceremony – a rare sight for an athlete who is otherwise considered controlled. The next day, the 28-year-old reflected on Instagram: “Honestly, I feel a bit bad about my emotions yesterday. … I am able to live my dream and achieve my goals, and it once again shows me what a privilege we have to fight for our dreams.”
That dedication, combined with emotional depth, is also reflected in his unusual biography. “Marco Odermatt. My World” was released at the end of last year not as a traditional book, but as a box with ten booklets – including chapters such as “My Body.” There, his cardiovascular system is discussed, as well as his childhood, his family, or his personal race diary.
Downhill gold remains Odermatt’s biggest Olympic goal. “The downhill race is the event with the most attention at the Olympic Winter Games,” he explained, adding, “Of course, a gold medal is one of my goals and I will do everything to achieve it.” (LF)
