×

US bobsled pilot Justin Olsen hopes to compete after surgery

U.S. Olympic bobsled pilot Justin Olsen in his New York National Guard uniform (Photo provided)

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) – American bobsled pilot Justin Olsen hopes to compete at the Olympics despite having had a successful appendectomy on the eve of the Pyeongchang Games.

U.S. bobsled officials said Tuesday that Olsen, who is from San Antonio, Texas, went to a hospital in the coastal city of Gangneung on Monday and is trying to recover so he can compete in events starting Feb. 18.

“We are hoping Justin will recover quickly enough to compete in the two-man race,” said USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Darrin Steele. “The timing is unfortunate and we are heartbroken for Justin, but he’s shown us over the years that he’s capable of overcoming adversity and coming out on top. We know he’s going to do what he can within his power to be at the starting line on race day. There’s no question he’s mentally ready, but we are looking at our options in case he physically can’t compete.”

Officials say they’re discussing options if Olsen can’t race.

Pyeongchang is Olsen’s third Olympics. He was on the four-man gold-medal winning team at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Olsen is one of three pilots to earn a spot on the 2018 U.S. Olympic men’s bobsled team. This is his third Olympic selection, and his first in the front seat of the sled. Olsen was a member of Steven Holcomb’s four-man gold medal winning team at the 2010 Vancouver Games, and competed as one of Nick Cunningham’s crew in the 2014 Sochi Games four-man event. Olsen began driving after Sochi, making this his first Olympic Team selection as a pilot.

Starting at $1.44/week.

Subscribe Today