For Werner Hoeger, competing in the Olympics is about fulfilling a teenage dream. At 48-years-old and the oldest to compete in the luge, he figures his gold medal comes in sharing his dream with his 17-year-old son, Chris, the youngest to participate. Members of the DeMeyer Park Ward, Meridian Idaho North Stake near Boise, the Hoegers trained for four years and represented Venezuela where Brother Hoeger was born.
During a World Cup competition in Germany shortly before the Olympics "adversity struck during the race and I did not do as well as I had hoped. But I knew I had to keep the faith," Brother Hoeger said.
After completing his fourth run during the Olympics Feb. 11, Brother Hoeger stood a few feet from the luge course with tears in his eyes watching Chris complete his slide.
"These four runs during the Olympics were the best that both Christopher and I have ever had," he said. "We are indeed very grateful for having been able to fullfill this goal so well.
"My son and I have gone through so much the last four years and both of us had the best runs of our lives at the Olympic Games."
