Steven Holcomb

Steven Holcomb (born April 14, 1980 in Park City, Utah) is an American bobsledder who has competed since 1998. At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, he won the 4-man bobsled event for the United States, its first gold medal in that event since 1948. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, he finished sixth in the four-man event and 14th in the two-man event.

Holcomb learned to ski when he was only 2 years old. Being born in the well known ski town of Park City, Utah his mother would take him skiing at every opportunity. He began competitively ski racing when he was only 6 years old at the main resort of Park City. He began competitively ski racing for the Park City Ski Team for the next twelve years. During this time he was also an avid athlete in local sports playing soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and running track. In 1998 he went to a local USA Bobsled team try-out and scored just enough points to be invited to the National Team Camp that included the National Push Championships. He finished 8th place and was invited to stay for an additional week to train with the National Team. Despite his 8th-place finish which qualified him for the National Team he was skipped over because of his small stature and young age. After placing 5th at the National Team Trials in early October 1998 at the Utah Olympic Park he went on to attend university at the University of Utah. Shortly following the naming of the 1998 World Cup Team, an injury caused the withdrawal of one member. A spot opened up and November 3, Holcomb was asked to join the World Cup team in Calgary Alberta for the first World Cup race where he would push for driver Brian Shimer. Holcomb went on to have an above average push career as a pusher for drivers Jim Herberich, Mike Dionne, Todd Hays, and Brian Shimer. Shortly before the 2002 Winter Olympics he was cut from Brian Shimer's team, and replaced with Dan Steele, a veteran from the 1998 Winter Olympics. At the Utah Olympic Park for the 2002 Winter Olympics he then served as a bobsled forerunner, someone who tests the bobsled course prior to competition. Though Holcomb was not competing, the experience did allow him time on an Olympic course in front of fans.

After leaving the military with an honorable discharge in June 2006, Holcomb began to compete on the World Cup circuit. Starting with the 2004–05 season, Holcomb consistently was the second and third ranked American driver. In the 2006–2007 season Holcomb (with team members Jovanovic and Kreitzburg) won the two-man World Cup Championship, while his four-man team (with Jovanovic, Kreitzburg, and Mesler) finished second. As Holcomb rose through the ranks of American bobsledders however, a degenerative eye condition, initially diagnosed in 2002, began to affect his daily life and competitive skills. A non-invasive surgical procedure, C3-R, provided a measure of correction during the 2007–08 season, allowing him to earn three gold, three silver, and one bronze medals.

Holcomb and his two-man and four-man teams took home 2 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes and then won the first World Championship in four-man bobsled since 1959. Additionally, he piloted his two-man sled to a bronze medal.

In Vancouver, Holcomb finished 2nd in his four-man sled in the only World Cup race at the newly finished Whistler track. Holcomb and his Night Train (4-man)/Night Hawk (2-man) are competing on the FIBT World Cup circuit. In the first three tour stops to date, his squad with teammates Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen and Curt Tomasevicz has won gold in the 4-man at Lake Placid & Cesana (Torino 2006 Olympic track) and silver in the 4-Man at Lake Placid and bronze in Cesana.

The crew of the four man USA-1 at the 2010 Winter Olympics with their gold medals. From left to right: Holcomb, Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler, and Curtis Tomasevicz.

Holcomb won four medals at the FIBT World Championships: a gold (four-man: 2009) and three bronzes (two-man: 2009, mixed team: 2008, 2009). He also won the 2007 Two-man World Cup title, won the 2007 combined World Cup title, and finished second in the 2007 Four-Man World Cup standings. He became the first American man to win the Two-Man World Cup title. Holcomb also won the 2007 and 2010 Combined World Cup titles, and the 2010 4-Man World Cup title.

It was announced on 17 January 2010 that Holcomb made the US team in both the two-man and four-man events for the 2010 Winter Olympics. On February 17, Holcomb led the four-man US bobsled team to a gold-medal victory, ending a 62-year gold medal drought in US Olympic four-man bobsled competition.

Holcomb qualified for the 2014 Sochi Olympics in both the two-man and four-man bobsled. On February 16, Holcomb and brakeman Steve Langton won the bronze medal in the two-man competition, ending yet another 62-year medal drought in US Olympic two-man competition.

Holcomb served as a soldier in the Utah Army National Guard for seven years, from March 1999 until July 2006. During his Army National Guard service, he served as a combat engineer in the 1457th Engineering Battalion. He took part in the Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) for seven years. At the end of 2006, he received an Honorable Discharge from service. While in the National Guard, he earned the following Medals: Army Achievement Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Army Presidential Unit Citation; Army Superior Unit Award; Army Service Ribbon.

Holcomb attended The Winter Sports School in Park City, graduating in 1997. Holcomb is working on his bachelor's degree at DeVry University in computer science. His projected graduation date is 2016.

Steven attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).