by Mike Matzinger
Steven Holcomb made history on February 27, 2010, at the Whistler Sliding Centre when he piloted USA 1, America’s first four-man bobsled team to win Olympic gold since 1948. The team’s performance, which included setting a course record on one run, capped a remarkable season that also saw them secure America’s first world championship since 1959 and the first World Cup title since 1992. Holcomb continued to excel on the world stage, winning bronze medals in both the two-man and four-man bobsled competitions at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
What made Holcomb’s achievements even more extraordinary was the challenge he overcame to reach the top. For much of his career, he suffered from keratoconus, a degenerative eye condition that causes the corneas to bulge and severely impairs vision. By the time he underwent corrective surgery in 2008, Holcomb had learned to rely more on instinct than sight to navigate the high-speed bobsled tracks, earning him the nickname “America’s sled knight” from Sports Illustrated, a reference to a scene in Star Wars where Luke Skywalker learns to wield his lightsaber while wearing an opaque visor.
Holcomb credited his experiences in Scouting with shaping his character and broadening his horizons. Reflecting on his time as a Scout, he said, “Earning all the merit badges really opens your eyes to more than just one thing in life. There’s so much to learn, so much you have to do.” His combination of perseverance, skill, and adventurous spirit made him one of the most respected figures in American bobsledding, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire athletes and fans alike.