Olympic gold medal-winning bobsledder Steven Holcomb dies age 37
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 07/05/17 9:04am
Olympic gold medal-winning bobsledder Steven Holcomb has died at the age of 37.
The American was found dead in his room at the US Olympic Training Centre in Lake Placid, New York, on Sunday morning. The USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation said it was believed he had died in his sleep.
Holcomb piloted the US four-man bobsled to gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It was the first American gold medal in the event since 1948.
At the Sochi Games in 2014, he won bronze medals in the four-man and two-man bobsled.
Holcomb's achievements came despite the fact he suffered from a serious eye disease, keratoconus, leaving him with streaked and blurred vision.
He learned to drive a bobsled by feel rather than sight and was nearly forced to retire from the sport a year before his Vancouver success, with his condition meaning he was considered legally blind.
Holcomb revealed in his autobiography how he struggled to come to terms with the condition and its effects, attempting suicide in 2007.
"The entire Olympic family is shocked and saddened by the incredibly tragic loss today of Steven Holcomb," US Olympic Committee chief executive 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."
