Born: 1991
Biography:
Anna Kiesenhofer (born 14 February 1991) is an Austrian professional cyclist and mathematician. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in mathematics at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Kiesenhofer gained fame when she won the gold medal in the women’s individual road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, making her the first Austrian to win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics since 2004 and the first Austrian to win a cycling Olympic gold medal since 1896.
Anna Kiesenhofer began her academic journey by studying mathematics at the Vienna University of Technology from 2008 to 2011. She then completed her master’s degree at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge from 2011 to 2012. In 2016, she earned her PhD at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia with her thesis on Integrable systems on b-symplectic manifolds.
Currently, Kiesenhofer is a postdoctoral researcher at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). She is part of a group conducting research on nonlinear partial differential equations that arise in mathematical physics. Kiesenhofer has produced several scholarly journal articles, contributing to the field of mathematics. These articles include topics such as b$-Structures on Lie groups and Poisson reduction and Small data global regularity for half-wave maps in n = 4 dimensions.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Kiesenhofer has a notable cycling career. Initially involved in triathlon and duathlon from 2011 to 2013, she shifted her focus to cycling after an injury limited her running abilities. Joining the Catalan team Frigoríficos Costa Brava – Naturalium, she began to establish herself as a competitive cyclist.
In 2015, Kiesenhofer participated in cyclo-sports events, including the Gran Fondo New York, which she won. She also took part in the Tour de l’Ardèche but unfortunately suffered a fall during the first stage, hindering her performance and leading to her withdrawal from the race.
The following year, in 2016, Kiesenhofer achieved success by winning the Coupe d’Espagne. She continued to showcase her talent by joining international teams and participating in races such as the Tour de l’Ardèche. During the third stage of the Tour de l’Ardèche, Kiesenhofer joined a breakaway group, displaying her skills and determination.
Kiesenhofer’s career reached new heights when she surprised the world and achieved a historic victory at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Unfancied for a medal prior to the race, she launched a decisive attack in the early seconds of the event. Soloing to victory, Kiesenhofer’s pursuers were unaware of her position, resulting in what is now considered one of the greatest upsets in Olympics and cycling history.
Through her remarkable achievements and contributions both in academia and sports, Anna Kiesenhofer has become an inspirational figure. Her success at the 2020 Summer Olympics not only brought glory to Austria but also served as a milestone in women’s cycling history. Kiesenhofer’s dedication, perseverance, and ability to excel in multiple domains make her a role model for aspiring mathematicians and cyclists alike.
Awards:
– Gold medal in the women’s individual road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics.