American bobsled athlete Charlie Volker has announced a devastating medical retirement from the sport, just weeks before the final team selections for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
A Dream Derailed by Injury
The 28-year-old, who competed in the four-man bobsled event at the 2022 Beijing Games, revealed he has been unable to recover from a concussion sustained earlier this season. The announcement comes less than a fortnight before USA Bobsled and Skeleton finalises its Olympic roster.
In a heartfelt social media post, Volker wrote: 'After sustaining a concussion earlier this season, struggling through the recovery process, and receiving further evaluation from our sports med team, I will officially be medically retiring from bobsled at this time.' He added, 'I keep trying to remind myself that everything happens for a reason, but it’s going to hurt to not be out there with the guys.'
From the Gridiron to the Ice Chute
Volker's athletic journey is one of remarkable adaptability. Prior to his bobsled career, he was a standout running back for Princeton University and declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. Although he went unselected and saw a subsequent mini-camp invite scuppered by the Covid-19 pandemic, he successfully transitioned to winter sports, rapidly reaching the elite level.
He earned his place at the Beijing Olympics and secured his lone World Cup medal earlier in the 2021/22 season, helping pilot Hunter Church's sled to a third-place finish in a four-man race in Winterberg, Germany.
The Risks of Sliding Sports and a Program's Resilience
Concussions are a recognised hazard in high-speed sliding sports, where sleds can exceed 80 mph and the ride down the icy track is notoriously jarring. Push athletes like Volker are subjected to significant forces during runs that typically last around a minute.
Aron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled and Skeleton, praised Volker's character and the difficulty of his decision. 'Charlie is an exceptional bobsled athlete with outstanding character and professionalism,' McGuire said. 'Decisions like this are never easy, especially at this level, and I commend him for prioritizing his health and well-being.'
McGuire expressed confidence in the depth of the men's bobsled programme, stating the team would miss Volker for the remainder of the season. Volker had been a top contender for the 2026 Olympic team, especially after setting a team push record in September, but had not competed in a World Cup event this season.
