August 16, 2017
1 minute reading time
VIDEO: On this day Santiago Lange and Cecilia Carranza Saroli win Rio 2016 gold
On this day in 2016, Argentine six-time Olympic sailor, Santiago Lange, won his first gold at the Rio Olympic Games, at the age of 54, just nine months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
On this day in 2016, Argentine six-time Olympic sailor, Santiago Lange, won his first gold at the Rio Olympic Games, at the age of 54, just nine months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Just months after having surgery to remove a portion of his left lung, Lange and his team-mate, Cecilia Carranza Saroli, battled hard to win gold in the Nacra 17 Mixed Multihull, despite receiving two penalties and starting at the back of the fleet.
Lange is one of the most distinguished sailors in Argentine history and recognisable figures in the international sailing community.
The sailing legend began his life-long passion for the sport of sailing when he was six years old, taking after his father who was also a sailor and competed in the Olympic Games Helsinki 1952.
The 55-year-old first represented his country in the Olympics at the Olympic Games Seoul 1988, and earned bronze medals at the Olympic Summer Games 2004 and 2008.