Silvio Giobellina

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameSilvio•Giobellina
Used nameSilvio•Giobellina
Born28 February 1954 in Leysin, Vaud (SUI)
Measurements172 cm / 73 kg
AffiliationsBob-Club Leysin
NOC Switzerland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Prior to taking up bobsledding in 1974, Silvio Giobellina was involved in cycling, swimming, and skiing. He made his debut for Switzerland on the international bobsledding scene in 1978 and earned a bronze medal in the four-man event at the European Junior Championships. As a senior he first drew attention at the 1982 World Championships, where he won a gold medal alongside Rico Freiermuth, Urs Salzmann, and Heinz Stettler. The quartet slipped to bronze at the 1983 European Championships, but then claimed the European crown in 1984 and 1985. Along the way they also participated in the 1984 Winter Olympics, where they finished third behind the two teams from East Germany. After capturing bronze at the 1985 World Championships the quartet split up, but Giobellina and Salzmann continued to compete together and earned bronze at the 1988 European Championships with Curdin Morell and the non-Olympian Celest Poltera.

Giobellina retired after the 1988 European Championships, having been Swiss national champion in the four-man five consecutive times between 1981 and 1985, and served as technical director for the French national bobsledding team until 1994. He also founded a company, OSG SA, which organizes sport and cultural activities and manages summer camps. In 1999 he became the manager of Tobogganing Park in his hometown of Leysin.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Winter Olympics Bobsleigh (Bobsleigh) SUI Silvio Giobellina
Four, Men (Olympic) Switzerland 1 3 Bronze

Special Notes