Alberto Tomba

Italian skier, an expert on the slalom and winner of two Gold Medals in Calgary in February 1988. At the winter Olympics in Val d'Isere in France, 1992, he had a time of 2.06.98 over two runs to win the event of the men's giant slalom, the first Alpine skier to successfully defend his title.

The son of a successful Bolognese dress merchant, he was known for his exuberance on the slopes and off. He became not only an Olympic champion but a dashing playboy, burning the candle at both ends. Called "la Bomba" (the bomb), he turned into a girl crazy party animal, eating and drinking too much and burning the candle at both ends.

When he reached 208 lbs with his skills falling down on the slopes, his trainer put him on a tight diet and schedule the get down to 190 lbs and brush up his abilities. The discipline worked effectively as he won two more medals at the Winter Games in Albertville.

Tomba racks up some millions in commercial endorsements every year.