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Who needs Captain America? We've got Chris Mazdzer!
American Chris Mazdzer made history on Sunday at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea when he took the silver medal in men's single luge—a first for the U.S. since the event's inception as an Olympic game in 1964.
The 29-year-old from Massachusetts completed his run a mere .026 seconds behind Austrian gold medalist, David Gleirscher. His win, coupled with his rugged good looks and affable smile, has triggered an eruption of fandom—a phenomenon perhaps best summed up by Global reporter Laura Kramer's characterization of him as "the internet's husband."
Name: Chris Mazdzer Occupation: First US singles luge medal winner / the internet’s husband https://t.co/pF7PCcunvn— Laura Kramer (@Laura Kramer)1518415048.0
You can watch Mazdzer's superb silver medal run in men's singles luge run on NBC:
Fans can't get enough:
Me yesterday: "Wait so like what is 'luge' anyway?" Me today, sobbing: "Luge is probably the most important thing… https://t.co/YQ8d6jd2fi— Tim Federle (@Tim Federle)1518279502.0
Chris Mazdzer could run me over with his luge and cut me in half in the process and I would say thank you. https://t.co/chnyWsdZOS— Nolan R. Henningson (@Nolan R. Henningson)1518283438.0
@davidmackau That was so much better than aerobics to get my heart pumping.— Jan Austerlitz (@Jan Austerlitz)1518364571.0
@davidmackau Oh my goodness. That smile!— Jennifer Van Goethem (@Jennifer Van Goethem)1518368924.0
It's important to note, that though Mazdzer is the first American to win in men's singles luge, he is not the first U.S. singles luge medalist. In 2014, Erin Hamlin won the bronze in women's singles, as Matt on Twitter pointed out:
@Laura_Kramer First us singles medal winner for men.— Matt (@Matt)1518450841.0
@celeste43_ ah! Didn't know that! An important point, thank you— Laura Kramer (@Laura Kramer)1518452139.0
@Laura_Kramer No problem Erin Hamlin won bronze in 2014 for first women to do it.— Matt (@Matt)1518452232.0
An Olympic game long dominated by Germany, Mazdzer was actually poised to bring home the bronze medal when German luger Felix Loch, two-time defending gold medalist, faltered at the crucial "curve 9" eliminating his chance at the podium, and propelling Mazdzer to the silver.
Here's Loch's final run followed by the moment Mazdzer realizes he's won the silver:
Chris @mazdzer receives his SILVER at the #Pyeongchang2018 #WinterOlympics Medal Ceremony. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Get… https://t.co/eNeRuhWJkE— USA Luge (@USA Luge)1518435293.0
@davidmackau ....and now Im really in love https://t.co/8RKPb3oxfR— ConfusedAgain (@ConfusedAgain)1518456376.0
@USA_Luge @mazdzer This is the face of America!!!— Martha Guzman (@Martha Guzman)1518435564.0
@TimFederle Oh my word...WHO IS THAT?! 😍— Katie Shellstrop ✨♿🐚 (@Katie Shellstrop ✨♿🐚)1518279639.0
Following the race, Mazdzer told NBC's Lewis Johnson:
I had to go through those runs to be comfortable with who I am without results. Basically, as a human, I'm comfortable with where I am. I know what I can do; I know what I can give to the world. I was just so relaxed just knowing that and was really at peace with myself.
@svenskerensarms @TimFederle God Bless America.— Angela B (@Angela B)1518305482.0
@TimFederle Plus he's all smiling and waving at the camera and everything— Macie McIntosh (@Macie McIntosh)1518282930.0
For those who don't follow the sport, singles luge is a timed event where the fastest time wins. Competitors must navigate down a narrow winding track at extremely high speeds for four different runs. The times of all four runs are added together and the luger with the shortest time overall wins—a thousandths of a second can make all the difference.
Amazingly, the best Mazdzer had ever done before in the winter Olympics was 13th place.
Love and adoration:
@TimFederle Looks like a new Avenger to me 👍👍— Peter Richards (@Peter Richards)1518455426.0
@TimFederle So I am not the only one in love with him?— Davey Benn (@Davey Benn)1518381187.0
Even comedian Leslie Jones got in on the action:
Omg!! https://t.co/XFmlsxHiot— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Leslie Jones 🦋)1518298310.0
The feet is really trying to speak!! https://t.co/UlQRNJbMeO— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Leslie Jones 🦋)1518299045.0
Message to Chris Mazdzer: This week the silver medal, next week the Wheaties box.