Kelsey Mitchell, a Canadian track cycling gold medalist, has been selected to join Canada’s bobsled team for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Mitchell, who previously won gold in sprint cycling at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, will now be part of the pool of bobsled brakewomen. She becomes one of only 14 athletes from Canada to have competed in both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games, with six of them being bobsledders.
Expressing her excitement, Mitchell stated that being part of this exclusive group is truly special. She shared her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in both the summer and winter games, emphasizing the unique experience it offers. Notably, Clara Hughes remains the sole Canadian athlete to have won medals in both the Summer and Winter Games.
Having also competed in cycling at the 2024 Paris Summer Games, Mitchell joined the bobsleigh team in the previous year. She acknowledged the learning experiences gained from her Olympic journey, emphasizing the importance of treating each race as just another competition. Mitchell aims to leverage her expertise and support her teammates in navigating the pressures of the Games.
The 2026 Olympic bobsleigh team comprises 17 athletes, including three alternates. Canada secured spots for three women’s bobsleds and two each in women’s monobob, two-man, and four-man events. Notable athletes such as Melissa Lotholz, Cynthia Appiah, and Taylor Austin will lead the charge in various categories, aiming for success at the Cortina Sliding Centre.
The team also includes skilled brakemen like Keaton Bruggeling, Yohan Eskrick-Parkinson, and others, with additional members serving as alternates. Eskrick-Parkinson, who transitioned from diving to bobsleigh, expressed his pride in achieving Olympic qualification in a different sport. Canadians have a rich history in bobsleigh, having amassed 10 Olympic medals since 1964, with a consistent presence on the podium since 2006.
As the team prepares for the upcoming Winter Games, high-performance director Jesse Lumsden highlighted the squad’s potential and emphasized the importance of speed and consistency for success at the Olympics. The Canadian bobsled team is poised for a strong showing in Milan-Cortina, aiming to uphold the nation’s proud bobsleigh legacy.