Chris Klug

Chris Klug (born November 18, 1972) is a professional alpine snowboarder. After receiving a liver transplant in 2000 to treat primary sclerosing cholangitis, he went on to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, winning a bronze medal in the Parallel Giant Slalom.[1] This was the first and so far only time a transplantee had competed in the Olympics, either winter or summer. He also won a bronze medal, and lit the torch at the 2002 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games. He is an alumnus of Deerfield Academy.

Chris Klug

Klug at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Men's snowboarding
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Salt Lake City Giant Slalom
Winter X Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Aspen Dual Slalom
Gold medal – first place 2018 Aspen Dual Slalom

In 2004, Klug released a book called To the Edge and Back: My Story from Organ Transplant Survivor to Olympic Snowboarder. He is an active supporter of organ donation and recently founded the Chris Klug Foundation and Donor Dudes to spread awareness of the need for organ donors.

Personal life

Klug is married to Melissa April. They live in Aspen, Colorado and Sisters, Oregon with their two children.

Chris Klug Foundation

In 2003, The Chris Klug Foundation was founded and started by Chris Klug himself, following year after he competed in the Winter Olympics.[2] The start of the foundation was a result on Klug's ambition to help save lives and advertise a healthy, active life after receiving a transplant.[3] The Chris Klug Foundation is devoted, "to promoting lifesaving organ and tissue donation and improving the quality of life for those touched by donation."[4] Through the foundation's programs, they have inspired and influenced over thousands of young adults by sharing facts and information about organ and tissue donation so they can make educated decisions.

Based in Aspen, Colorado, they are able to spread donor awareness at several events throughout the year such as during the Winter X Games and during their own popular event called Summit For Life, a nighttime uphill race up Aspen Mountain.[5]

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Chris Klug Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  2. "ABOUT US | ChrisKlug Foundation". chrisklugfoundation.org. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  3. "ABOUT US | ChrisKlug Foundation". chrisklugfoundation.org. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  4. "ABOUT US | ChrisKlug Foundation". chrisklugfoundation.org. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  5. "Summit for Life Uphill Race". Aspen Snowmass. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
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