Marcel Hug becomes a racer without hearing the starting gun. His change begins when he puts on his helmet.
Maybe because it's a special helmet. The sparkling headwear, given to Hug as a teenager for Christmas, has become an iconic part of his racing career and earned him the nickname “The Silver Bullet”.
However, the six-time Paralympic champion and wheelchair marathon world record holder is a different guy off the field.
"When I put on the silver helmet, I become a focused, motivated athlete. I'm different without a helmet. "I'm quieter," remarked the Swiss wheelchair racer, who enjoys camping, swimming in cold lakes, and reading philosophy books.
Olympics.com interviewed the wheelchair racing champion of over a decade on how he mixes record-breaking successes with nature retreats and the competitive benefits of being an introvert in daily life and an extrovert in race gear.
Since becoming 'The Silver Bullet', Marcel Hug has won six Paralympic titles, 12 world titles, world records in the marathon, half-marathon, 10,000m, and 1,500m, and multiple marathon majors.
The Swiss athlete excelled in 2023. He won all six marathon majors and shattered Tokyo, Boston, and Chicago course records.
I'm thrilled with this season. Excellent year, virtually flawless. Everything went perfectly," Hug told Olympics.com after winning a record sixth career New York City Marathon in November 2023 and becoming the first athlete to sweep all six marathon majors in a year.