NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Former Princeton running back and former Olympian Charlie Volker will not travel to Italy for the 2026 Winter Games, despite being a top favorite to make the U.S. bobsled team, after announcing his decision to retire for medical reasons.
Volker, 28, took to social media to share the news, which comes less than two weeks before USA Bobsled and Skeleton names its Olympic roster.
Hunter Church, Joshua Williamson, Kristopher Horn and Charlie Volker compete in the four-man bobsleigh event during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Yanqing Sliding Center, China, February 19, 2022. (Harrison Hill/USA TODAY Sports)
“After suffering a concussion earlier this season, struggling through the recovery process, and receiving further evaluation from our sports medical team, I will officially be medically retiring from bobsledding at this time,” the former Ivy League running back said in an Instagram post Wednesday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
“I always try to remember that everything happens for a reason, but it’s going to hurt not being with the guys.”
Volker made his Olympic debut in Beijing at the 2022 Winter Games. He competed in two-man and four-man bobsleigh, finishing 27th and 10th, respectively.
Princeton Tigers running back Charlie Volker (21) runs with the ball during the college football game between the Princeton Tigers and the Harvard Crimson at Harvard Stadium. Princeton defeated Harvard 29-21 in Boston, Massachusetts on October 20, 2018. (Mr. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CHLOE KIM EXPOSES HER BOYFRIEND MYLES GARRETT AFTER SETTING AN NFL RECORD: ‘PROUD OF YOU’
“I am grateful to my teammates, my coaches and the federation for their support. And to those who have watched, encouraged and supported me throughout this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will pass on the love, trust and encouragement to others, and I will never forget what you all have done for me.”
Volker entered the year looking like one of the leading contenders for an Olympic team nomination, especially after setting a team record at the pushing championships in September. His retirement probably comes as no surprise since he has not competed in a World Cup race this season.
Hunter Church, Joshua Williamson, Kristopher Horn and Charlie Volker start the first foursome at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Yanqing district in Beijing, China, February 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, file)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
A former Princeton star, Volker finished his college career with 1,994 rushing yards, ranking seventh in program history, and his 14 touchdowns in 2018 tied his own previous mark for sixth in program history.
