UCalgary engineering student returns to Pyeongchang Olympic podium with silver medal

Update: Thursday, Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m.

Alex Gough is a luger who likes to lay low — but with a silver medal in luge team relay to match the historic bronze she won earlier this week, that low profile will be much harder to maintain.

Before her date with Olympic destiny in Pyeongchang, where she became the first-ever Canadian luger to stand on an Olympic podium,  the University of Calgary engineering student said she tends to avoid the limelight that often follows athletic success.

“I like to do what I can to raise the profile of my sport, and of amateur sport in general in Canada, but I’m personally a pretty low-key person and still try to fly a little under the radar,” explained Gough.

That was much easier before she became Canada’s Olympic hero by flying past the finish line — and on Thursday morning, the Schulich School of Engineering student added to her fame with a second-place finish in the team relay at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games. The team of Canadian sliders, including Gough, Sam Edney and doubles duo Tristan Walker and Justin Snith raced to silver in a time of two minutes 24.872 seconds, just behind Germany.

Earlier this week, Gough won Canada’s first-ever Olympic luge medal with a third-place finish in women’s singles, with photos of her jubilance running across the country.

She’s a household name now, but so long as she inspiring the next generation of sliders, Gough says she really doesn’t mind all the attention. “I love inspiring young people by simply doing something I love and pursuing my dreams,” she said.

In other news from Pyeongchang on Thursday, Ted-Jan Bloemen — who trains at the Olympic Oval — won gold in the 10,000m speedskating event, knocking 2.21 seconds off the Olympic record, while adding to the silver he captured in the 5000m four nights earlier. And UCalgary student Jordan Belchos placed fifth in the 10,000m.

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Gough converts a fraction of a second into Olympic bronze

With less than 7/100ths of a second separating her historic Olympic bronze at Pyeongchang from a fourth-place finish, Alex Gough couldn’t have been more right about managing time.

Before she became the first-ever Canadian luger to stand on an Olympic podium, the University of Calgary engineering student said success in both sports and school was about having a goal and making the most of your time, down to the tiniest measure.

“My athletic career has taught me the value of working hard towards a goal and time management and just how much you can get done in a very small amount of time,” explained Gough.

How right she was.

In her fourth and likely final Olympics, the Schulich School of Engineering student and Calgary native finished with a combined four-run time of three minutes 5.64 seconds, enough to earn her Canada’s first-ever Olympic medal in luge.

German Natalie Geisenberger captured gold in 3:05.232 while fellow German luger Dajana Eitberger was second in 3:05.599.

Naturally, the university and her school were buzzing with the news of Gough’s success.

"Alex Gough is the talk of the faculty today, and we couldn't be more thrilled about her incredible success at the Pyeongchang Olympics," said Bill Rosehart, dean of the Schulich School of Engineering.

"As a student and athlete, Alex shows that determination and drive gets results. And a Canadian Olympic first? That’s an inspiring accomplishment.”