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Eddie Eagan

Edward Patrick Francis "Eddie" Eagan (April 26, 1897-June 14, 1967) is an American sportsman. As of 2004, he is the only person to have won a gold medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Eagan was born into a poor family in Denver. He studied law at Yale and later at the University of Oxford. In 1920, Eagan competed as a boxer in the first post-war Olympics, and won the gold medal in the light-heavyweight division. Eagan's other boxing awards include the 1919 AAU title and a British amateur title. He also competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics, but failed to medal.

Eagan returned to the Olympics eight years later, this time as a member of the bobsleigh crew of Bobby Fiske , who steered to victory at the Lake Placid Olympics. Eagan's performance meant he became the first Olympian to win medals in both Winter and Summer Games, and he is still the only one to have become Olympic champion in both seasons.

Later, Eagan became a lawyer, and served in the army as a colonel during World War II. He died at age 70, in Rye, New York.

Last updated: 11-07-2004 09:38:48