Steven Holcomb, 37; Olympic bobsledding gold medalist
Five-time world champion found dead at training center
Steven Holcomb was simultaneously ordinary and remarkable.
America's best bobsled pilot was a self-described computer geek who would rub elbows with Hollywood stars. He was never exactly in the best of shape, yet was a world-class athlete. He attempted suicide years ago, then revealed his story with hopes of helping others. He was a man who nearly went blind, then became an Olympic gold medalist.
His life was the epitome of a bobsled race, filled with twists and turns.
It came to a most unexpected end Saturday in Lake Placid, New York, when he was found dead in his room at the Olympic Training Center — sending shock waves through the U.S. Olympic community, and devastating those who had known Holcomb for the entirety of his two-decade career in sliding.
The three-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion was 37.
"The only reason why the USA is in any conversation in the sport of bobsled is because of Steve Holcomb," said U.S. bobsled pilot Nick Cunningham, who roomed next to Holcomb in Lake Placid. "He was the face of our team. He was the face of our sport. We all emulated him. Every driver in the world watched him, because he was that good at what he did. It's a huge loss, huge loss, not just for our team but for the entire bobsled community."
No cause of death was immediately announced. However, officials said there were no indications of foul play after the preliminary parts of an ongoing investigation were completed. USA Bobsled and Skeleton said it was believed Holcomb died in his sleep.
An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday. Funeral arrangements are expected to be finalized in the coming days.
"USA Bobsled and Skeleton is a family, and right now we are trying to come to grips with the loss of our teammate, our brother and our friend," federation CEO Darrin Steele said.
Holcomb was a native of Park City, Utah, and his signature moment came at the 2010 Vancouver Games when he piloted his four-man sled to a win that snapped a 62-year gold-medal drought for the U.S. in bobsled's signature race.
Holcomb also drove to bronze medals in both two- and four-man events at the Sochi Games in 2014, and was expected to be part of the 2018 U.S. Olympic team headed to the Pyeongchang Games.
"The entire Olympic family is shocked and saddened by the incredibly tragic loss today of Steven Holcomb," U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said. "Steve was a tremendous athlete and even better person, and his perseverance and achievements were an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve's family and the entire bobsledding community."
Holcomb was still one of the world's elite drivers, finishing second on the World Cup circuit in two-man points and third in four-man points this past season.
The final victory of his career was last December in Lake Placid. He won 60 World Cup medals in his career, 10 more at the world championships and three in the Olympics, making him one of the most decorated pilots in the world.