> At a Glance
> – Charlie Volker, 2022 Olympian, medically retires after concussion
> – Decision comes less than two weeks before Olympic roster announcement
> – Volker had been a top contender for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games
> – Why it matters: Highlights the dangerous reality of high-speed sliding sports
Charlie Volker, a key push athlete for the U.S. bobsled team and 2022 Olympian, has ended his career after failing to recover from a concussion sustained earlier this season.
The Retirement Announcement
Volker, 28, shared the news on social media Wednesday, stating:
> “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.”
His retirement comes just before USA Bobsled and Skeleton will nominate its Olympic roster for the upcoming Milan Cortina Games.
Volker’s Career Highlights
Despite not competing in any World Cup races this season, Volker had shown strong potential:
- Set a team record in September’s push championships
- Helped Frank Del Duca achieve two fourth-place finishes at the 2023 world championships
- Won his only World Cup medal in 2022, taking bronze in a four-man race at Winterberg, Germany
- Competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics with pilot Hunter Church
Safety Concerns in Sliding Sports
Concussions remain a serious risk in bobsled, where athletes experience:
- Speeds exceeding 80 mph
- Jarring crashes on icy chutes
- Rough rides lasting about a minute
- Significant shaking during runs
Aron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled and Skeleton, praised Volker’s decision:
> “Charlie is an exceptional bobsled athlete with outstanding character and professionalism. Decisions like this are never easy, especially at this level, and I commend him for prioritizing his health and well-being.”
Key Takeaways
- Volker’s retirement removes a top contender from the U.S. Olympic team
- The timing underscores the unpredictable nature of sports injuries
- His decision prioritizes long-term health over Olympic dreams
- The U.S. men’s bobsled program must now adjust its Olympic strategy
The Milan Cortina Winter Games begin next month without one of America’s most promising bobsled athletes.
