> At a Glance
> – Charlie Volker, 2022 Olympian, medically retires from bobsled
> – Suffered concussion earlier this season, recovery stalled
> – Announcement comes 12 days before USA Bobsled names Olympic team
> – Why it matters: Top push athlete exits, reshaping Milan Cortina roster
Charlie Volker, the 28-year-old Princeton football alum who helped the U.S. to fourth-place finishes at last year’s world championships, is stepping away from the sled for good.
The Decision
Volker revealed his retirement Wednesday on social media, citing lingering symptoms from a concussion sustained this season.
> “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,” Volker posted.
He had not started a World Cup race this winter but entered the year as a push-record setter and Olympic hopeful.
Impact on Team USA
USA Bobsled CEO Aron McGuire praised Volker’s character and wished him well.
> “Charlie is an exceptional bobsled athlete with outstanding character and professionalism,” McGuire said. “Decisions like this are never easy… He will certainly be missed for the remainder of the season.”
Concussions plague sliding sports where sleds top 80 mph and jarring crashes are routine.
Career Highlights
- 2022 Beijing Olympian with driver Hunter Church
- Bronze medal, Winterberg four-man World Cup, 2021-22 season
- Fourth place, two- and four-man worlds, 2023
- Team push-record holder after September time trials
Key Takeaways
- Volker’s exit opens an Olympic push seat less than a month before Milan Cortina
- USA Bobsled touts depth yet loses a proven medal threat
- Concussion recovery, not performance, ends the 28-year-old’s career
The Americans now finalize their Olympic roster without one of their strongest starters.
