Who is the only American athlete to win a gold medal in both the winter and summer games?

Eddie Eagan is the answer. The American athlete won Olympic gold in both the Summer and Winter Games, first in boxing at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics and later in bobsledding at the 1932 Lake Placid Olympics, making his cross-season achievement one of the rarest distinctions in Olympic history.

Eddie Eagan’s Rare Olympic Distinction

Eddie Eagan is the only American athlete to win gold medals in both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The distinction is specific to gold medals, not simply participation or any Olympic medal. His record stands out because it required success in two completely different Olympic settings, with one sport built around individual combat and the other around a fast-moving winter team event.

Gold in Summer Olympic Boxing

Eagan won his Summer Olympic gold medal in boxing at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Boxing demanded speed, endurance, timing, and direct one-on-one competition. That victory made him an Olympic champion years before he became connected to winter sports.

Gold in Winter Olympic Bobsledding

Eagan later won Winter Olympic gold in bobsledding at the 1932 Lake Placid Olympics. Bobsledding required a different athletic skill set from boxing, including teamwork, speed, timing, and control on an icy track. His Lake Placid victory gave him gold medals in both Olympic seasons.

Why the Record Is So Unusual

Eagan’s record is unusual because the Summer and Winter Olympics usually involve very different sports, training environments, and competitive pathways. Many athletes specialize for years in one discipline, while Eagan reached the top in both boxing and bobsledding. The key point is precise: he is the only American athlete known for winning gold in both the Summer and Winter Games, not the only athlete worldwide to compete or medal in both.