Exceptional skier, exceptional biography: Marco Odermatt is opening up like never before in an unconventional book format.
Milan/Cortina d‘Ampezzo – Marco Odermatt is far more than just an elite athlete on skis. To understand how the Swiss star consistently pushes his limits in major competitions, one must seem within – at his heart. With a resting pulse of around 40 beats per minute, Odermatt possesses a physiological trait rarely seen even at the highest levels of sport.
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 to achieve his dream of downhill gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics (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 want to remain a nice person, humble and spend some time with my friends,” he said in an interview with NBC. This balance between maximum competitive drive and groundedness 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.
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Seven hundredths of a second separated him from Giovanni Franzoni. Odermatt showed emotion, wept at the awards 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 terrible about my emotions yesterday. … I am able to live my dream and achieve my goals, and it once again shows me what a privilege it is to fight for our dreams.”
That dedication, combined with his physical gifts, is reflected in his unconventional 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.” It explores his cardiovascular system as well as his childhood, family, and personal race diary.
Downhill gold remains Odermatt’s ultimate Olympic goal. “The downhill race is the event with the most attention at the Winter Olympics,” he explained, adding, “Of course, a gold medal is one of my goals, and I will do everything to achieve it.” (LF)
