Golden Boy: Swiss Skier Franjo Von Allmen Receives Hero's Welcome

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Skier Franjo von Allmen was welcomed back to his home in the Bernese Oberland on Friday after his triple success at the Olympic Games. The whole of Boltigen was on its feet to celebrate the gold medalist in downhill, super-G, and team combined. This content was published on February 21, 2026 - 11:53 3 minutes Keystone-SDA

Deutsch de Skirennfahrer Franjo von Allmen in Boltigen empfangen Original Read more: Skirennfahrer Franjo von Allmen in Boltigen empfangen

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In the marquee, sports reporter Rainer Maria Salzgeber welcomed the audience and guided them through the ceremony. Hundreds watched the event on the big screen in front of the marquee.

Children and young people from the youth section of the local ski club stood on stage with their role model. After returning from the Olympic Games in Italy, von Allmen took the opportunity to participate in a club race and compete with the Simmental three-cheese skiers.

** + Olympics: Swiss von Allmen continues golden streak with Super-G win**

In his down-to-earth and playful manner, the 24-year-old answered the sports reporter’s questions. A school choir performed a specially written song for the ski racer, who was visibly moved. When asked if he had been a good student, he became a bit embarrassed. “I was okay,” he said, “but I probably didn’t do too much,” he admitted.

In the Boltigen area, many houses and barns were decorated with congratulatory banners. For example, “Bravo Franjo” could be read, and Olympic rings hastily painted on sheets could be seen.

Dream career

The 24-year-old has had a dream career in ski racing. The boy from the Simmental gained his first skiing experience on the Jaun Pass, a small ski area in the foothills of the Alps on the border between Bern and Fribourg.

Gradually, a career as a ski racer began to take shape. The sudden death of his father tested the 17-year-old. His skiing career was hanging by a thread, partly due to financial reasons. However, crowdfunding kept the young skier and trained carpenter on track.

He repaid the support with successes. After FIS and European Cup races, von Allmen had his first opportunity to compete in the World Cup in Aspen, US, in March 2023. He finished in 46th place.

Three years later, the man from Boltigen is a double world champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist, making him one of the most successful ski racers in the world.

It is said that he owes his first name, Franjo, which is quite exotic by Simmental standards, to a neighbor of the von Allmen family. The sonorous name appealed to his father. Because the first name is very popular in Croatia, the Simmental has a large fan base there. Franjo is the Slavic diminutive of Franz.

In Switzerland, von Allmen has also long had a fan club. His fans call themselves “Franatics.” When it was founded in 2022, the club had 13 members; today, it has around 1,600.

Adapted from German by AI/ts

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