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Former Princeton running back and one-time Olympian Charlie Volker will not be heading to Italy for the 2026 Winter Games, despite being a heavy favorite to make the U.S. bobsled team, after announcing his decision to medically retire.
Volker, 28, took to social media to share the news, which comes less than two weeks before USA Bobsled and Skeleton will nominate its Olympic roster.
Hunter Church, Joshua Williamson, Kristopher Horn and Charlie Volker compete in the four-man bobsleigh event during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the Yanqing Sliding Center in Yanqing, China, on Feb. 19, 2022. (Harrison Hill/USA TODAY Sports)
“After sustaining a concussion earlier this season, struggling through the recovery process, and receiving further evaluation from our sports med team, I will officially be medically retiring from bobsled at this time,” the former Ivy League running back said in a post on Instagram Wednesday.
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“I keep trying to remind myself that everything happens for a reason, but it’s going to hurt to not be out there with the guys.”
Volker made his Olympic debut in Beijing at the 2022 Winter Games. He competed in the two-man and four-man bobsled, 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 Oct. 20, 2018. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“I’m grateful for my teammates, coaches, and the federation for their support. And to those who have watched, cheered, and supported me through this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will pass on the love, belief, and encouragement to others, and will never forget what you all have done for me.”
Volker came into the year seeming like a top contender for an Olympic team nod, especially after setting a team record in the push championships in September. His retirement likely comes as no surprise after he did not compete in a World Cup race this season.
Hunter Church, Joshua Williamson, Kristopher Horn and Charlie Volker start the four-man Heat 1 at the 2022 Winter Olympics in the Yanqing district of Beijing, China, on Feb. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky,File)
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A former star running back at Princeton, 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 the sixth-most in program history.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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