The heroes of the heroes

Not all superheroes wear capes.

This certainly rings true for all Olympians. However, some dressed up like superheroes at Beijing 2022, such as the skeleton pilot Sungbin Yun (Republic of Korea) flying down the icy track with an Iron Man helmet during the qualification rounds.

Even the best athletes at the Olympics have heroes they look up to in the world of sport - both winter and summer athletes.

Olympics.com takes a look at the heroes that inspire our Beijing 2022 Olympians.

Ryan Regez had superhero ambitions long before he was crowned Olympic skicross champion in Beijing 2022...as Superman of the slopes since he was a child! Don't believe us? See for yourself in the Instagram post below.

Superman of the slopes had his own heroes, such as Switzerland's Mike Schmid, skicross 2010 Olympic champion. Beyond the snow, Regez's role models include two superstars of the tennis world: Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

The Swiss flyer also has role models that share his love for speed with seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton featuring among Regez's superheroes.

Regez, aka little Superman, Schmid, Federer, Djokovic, and Hamilton. That doesn't sound bad for a superheroes movie cast, right?

Italian speedskating queen Arianna Fontana likes her heroes fast, with fellow speed king and compatriot Valentino Rossi featuring at the top of her list. 

When asked who would be her perfect dinner date, the Olympic hero was quick to answer: Il Dottore, the nine-time motorcycle grand prix world champion. 

Fontana became the most decorated Italian athlete at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing 2022, bowing out with 11 career medals behind her name. Her love for speed is not limited to her performances on the ice but extends into her