… already in his childhood, sport was the greatest thing in Cologna’s life. He competed in several sports including cross running, mountain biking and alpine skiing. He played soccer nearly 10 years in Southern Tyrol, which is just across the border from his home town: “In soccer I was more orientated towards the Italian direction. My favorite club was AC Milan with Paolo Maldini & Co. The big star at that time was George Weah.” Cologna, who has both citizenships – the Swiss and the Italian, played first as a striker and later on as midfield.

…He started with Cross-Country skiing in Switzerland and stayed there. The star from the Val Müstair is a complete skier and top in both techniques. His coolness is his strength. He is not easily stressed.

… Cologna is not only strong as an athlete but he is talented speaking different languages. Besides German he speaks Rhaeto-Romanic mainly with his father and his two Cross-Country colleagues Toni Livers and Curdin Perl while he speaks in his Southern Tryolian dialect with his mother. He uses English and French for interviews and Italian with the Service man Gianluca Marcolini (former service man of Petra Majdic).

… At the age of 16, Cologna went to high school in Ftan which is located in the Engadin . Since his 20th birthday he has been living in Davos. “Even though Davos works for me as a place to live, I will always remain a man from Müstair at heart. I go back home to Tschierv and visit my parents when possible.”

…in middle of July the fan club of Dario Cologna organized the inaugural edition of the “Cologna Day” in his home region. The entire day had activities connected to Cross-Country Skiing, such as a training session for kids with Cologna and a roller ski race with some national team members as well as foreign top athletes. The day concluded with a party in the evening. “The day was awesome and made fun, I am already looking forward to the next edition of the Cologna Day 2012.” said Dario Cologna.

… Website: www.dariocologna.ch