Friedrich extends bobsled career through 2030 Olympics

German bobsled pilot Francesco Friedrich has announced his intention to continue his career through the 2030 Winter Olympics, aiming for his fifth Olympic appearance. The 36-year-old, already the most successful bobsledder in history with four Olympic gold medals and two silvers from Cortina d'Ampezzo, is driven by his passion for the sport.

Friedrich's immediate focus includes the World Championships in Lillehammer, Norway, in February 2027, which will serve as the first major test for his newly formed team. He expressed his commitment, stating, "Bobsled is still my passion. Why should I give it up if I can still do it well, if I still enjoy this tinkering, training with the team all summer, preparing the season and then competing together at this level?"

Beyond Olympic aspirations, Friedrich is also pursuing a personal record of 100 World Cup victories, currently standing at 89 wins in both two-man and four-man bobsled events. His prospects for success appear strong, bolstered by the addition of Georg Fleischhauer, considered the world's best pusher, who previously won two gold medals alongside Friedrich's rival Johannes Lochner. Fleischhauer's move to Friedrich's team significantly enhances their competitive edge.

The team composition has seen some changes. While Matthias Sommer and Felix Straub remain with Friedrich, Rupert Schenk has joined from Adam Ammour's team. The return of sprinter Simon Wulff after a doping suspension is still uncertain, and long-time push athlete Alexander Schüller has moved to pilot Hans-Peter Hannighofer's team. Despite these shifts, Friedrich remains focused on achieving his ambitious goals.

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Bobsled is still my passion. Why should I give it up if I can still do it well, if I still enjoy this tinkering, training with the team all summer, preparing the season and then competing together at this level?