Charlie Volker Announces Medical Retirement from Bobsledding
Charlie Volker, a U.S. bobsled pusher and participant in the 2022 Olympics, has declared his medical retirement due to challenges in recovering from a concussion he experienced earlier this season.
His announcement came on Wednesday, just shy of two weeks after he was named to the Olympic team for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games.
“I’ve been facing a tough recovery process after my concussion, and after further assessments from our sports medicine team, I’m officially stepping back from bobsledding,” Volker shared on social media. “It’s hard not to be with you all, but I keep telling myself everything happens for a reason.”
USA Bobsled has confirmed Volker’s decision to retire from the sport. He previously achieved two fourth-place finishes alongside pilot Frank Del Duca at last year’s world championships.
Aaron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, commented on Volker’s situation, stating, “Charlie is an exceptional talent with great character and professionalism. These decisions are incredibly tough, especially at this level, and I commend him for prioritizing his health. We appreciate the medical team supporting him, and while he’ll be sidelined for the remainder of the season, we have strong confidence in our men’s bobsled program.”
Concussions are relatively common in bobsledding, where athletes navigate icy tracks at speeds upward of 80 mph. The experience is far from smooth, with bobsledders often enduring significant jolts during roughly one-minute runs.
This season, the 28-year-old did not compete in any World Cup events. He had entered the year as a potential Olympic contender, particularly after setting a team record at the Push Championships in September.
Volker teamed up with Hunter Church, who has also retired, for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Church’s performance included a 10th place finish in the two-man event and 27th in the four-man event.
Earlier this season, Volker secured his only World Cup medal, steering Church’s sled to a third-place finish in a four-person race in Winterberg, Germany.
