Kelsey Mitchell, an Olympic gold medalist in track cycling, is embracing her potential as she ventures into bobsledding following a spring tryout camp where she was praised for her capabilities. Mitchell, who secured gold in women’s sprint cycling at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics despite initially lacking experience in the sport, is now gearing up to join the Canadian bobsled team at a training camp in Whistler, B.C.
Transitioning from cycling to bobsled, Mitchell, a 31-year-old athlete from Sherwood Park, Alta., is enthusiastic about the new challenge. Having honed her leg strength through cycling, Mitchell is now focusing on improving her upper body strength and sprinting technique to excel in bobsledding. She acknowledges the learning curve but is determined to adapt quickly.
While Mitchell plans to return to track cycling with a goal of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she is currently enjoying the camaraderie and competitive spirit within the bobsled team. Inspired by the prospect of potentially becoming a dual-season Olympian like Clara Hughes, she remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Team Canada’s success.
Despite facing physical challenges and adjustments in transitioning between sports, Mitchell’s coachability and eagerness to excel have impressed Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s high-performance director and strength coach. Embracing the aggressive nature of bobsledding and driven by her winning mentality, Mitchell is determined to make her mark in the sport and aims to add Winter Olympian to her list of achievements.