View source for Steven Holcomb

{{short description|American bobsledder (1980–2017)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name           = Steven Holcomb
| image          = Steven Holcomb 2014-02-08.jpg
| imagesize      = <!--Only for images narrower than 220 pixels.-->
| caption        = Holcomb at the [[2014 Winter Olympics]]<br>(note: the bronze in image was later upgraded to silver)
| full_name      = Steven Paul Holcomb
| nickname       = Holky, Holcomb, Steve
| birth_date     = {{Birth date|1980|04|14|mf=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Park City, Utah]], U.S.
| death_date     = {{death date and age |2017|05|06|1980|04|14|mf=yes}}
| death_place    = [[Lake Placid, New York]], U.S.
| height         = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| website        = [http://www.TeamHolcomb.com Team Holcomb]
| country        = {{USA}}
| sport          = {{Bobsleigh}}
<!-- | bobsled name   = [[BMW Night Train 4-man & Under Armour Night Hawk 2-man]] -->
| club           = 
| team           = U.S. National Team
| turnedpro      = 1998
| coach          = [[Brian Shimer]]
| retired        =
| coaching       = 
| worlds         = [[FIBT World Championships 2009|2009 FIBT World Champion 4-Man]]<br>[[FIBT World Championships 2012|2012 FIBT World Champion 4-Man]]<br />[[FIBT World Championships 2012|2012 FIBT World Champion 2-Man]]<br />[[FIBT World Championships 2012|2012 FIBT World Champion Team Event]]
| regionals      = 
| nationals      = 
| olympics       = [[Bobsleigh at the 2006 Winter Olympics|2006 – 6th place 4-man<br />2006 – 14th 2-man]]<br/>[[Bobsleigh at the 2010 Winter Olympics|2010 – Gold Medal 4-man<br />2010 – 6th place 2-man]]<br>[[Bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics|2014 – Silver Medal 4-man<br/>2014 – Silver Medal 2-man]]
| paralympics    = 
| highestranking = 
| pb             = 
| show-medals    = no
| medaltemplates = 
{{Medal|Sport|Men's [[bobsleigh]]}}
{{Medal|Country|the {{USA}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2010 Winter Olympics|2010 Vancouver]]|[[Bobsleigh at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Four-man|Four-man]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2014 Winter Olympics|2014 Sochi]]|[[Bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Two-man|Two-man]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2014 Winter Olympics|2014 Sochi]]|[[Bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Four-man|Four-man]]}}
{{Medal|Competition | [[FIBT World Championships|World Championships]] }}
{{Medal|Gold|[[FIBT World Championships 2009|2009 Lake Placid]]|Four-man}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[FIBT World Championships 2012|2012 Lake Placid]]|Four-man}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[FIBT World Championships 2012|2012 Lake Placid]]|Two-man}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[FIBT World Championships 2012|2012 Lake Placid]]|Mixed team}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[FIBT World Championships 2013|2013 St. Moritz]]|Mixed team}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[FIBT World Championships 2008|2008 Altenberg]]|Mixed team}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[FIBT World Championships 2009|2009 Lake Placid]]|Two-man}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[FIBT World Championships 2009|2009 Lake Placid]]|Mixed team}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[FIBT World Championships 2011|2011 Königssee]]|Four-man}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[FIBT World Championships 2013|2013 St. Moritz]]|Four-man}}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Bobsleigh World Cup|World Cup Championships]] }}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup|2006–2007]] |Combined}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup|2006–2007]] |Two-man}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009–10 Bobsleigh World Cup|2009–2010]] |Combined}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009–10 Bobsleigh World Cup|2009–2010]] |Four-man}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2013–14 Bobsleigh World Cup|2013–2014]] |Combined}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2013–14 Bobsleigh World Cup|2013–2014]] |Two-man}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup|2006–2007]] |Four-man}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2010–11 Bobsleigh World Cup|2010–2011]] |Four-man}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2013–14 Bobsleigh World Cup|2013–2014]] |Four-man}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup|2016–2017]] |Two-man}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2007–08 Bobsleigh World Cup|2007–2008]] |Combined}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2010–11 Bobsleigh World Cup|2010–2011]] |Combined}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup|2016–2017]] |Combined}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup|2016–2017]] |Four-man}}
{{Medal|Comp|World Cup Single Events}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2006–07 Cesana Pariol | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2006–07 Cesana Pariol | USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2006–07 Igls | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2006–07 Cortina| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2006–07 Cortina | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2007–08 Park City| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2007–08 Park City| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2007–08 Calgary| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2008–09 Park City | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2008–09 Park City<br />(make-up race) | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2009–10 Lake Placid| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2009–10 Winterberg| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2009–10 Cesana| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2010–11 Lake Placid| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2010–11 Whistler| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2012–13 Lake Placid| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2012–13 Park City| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2012–13 Whistler| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Calgary| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Calgary| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Park City| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Park City| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Lake Placid| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Lake Placid 1| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Lake Placid 2| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Igls| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2013–14 Königssee| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2015–16 Lake Placid| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Gold| 2016–17 Lake Placid| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2006–07 Lake Placid| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2006–07 Park City| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2006–07 Calgary| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2006–07 Königssee | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2006–07 Winterberg | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2007–08 Calgary| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2007–08 Konigssee | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2007–08 Lake Placid| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2008–09 Altenberg | USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2008–09 Vancouver | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2008–09 Igls | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2009–10 Lake Placid| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2009–10 Königssee| USA 1 Team Event}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2009–10 Königssee| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2009–10 Altenberg| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2011–12 La Plagne| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2011–12 Igls| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2012–13 Park City| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2012–13 Lake Placid| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2013–14 Igls| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2015–16 St. Moritz| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2016–17 Lake Placid| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Silver| 2016–17 Konigssee| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2007–08 Lake Placid| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2008–09 Igls | USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2008–09 Winterberg | USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2009–10 Cesana| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2010–11 Igls| USA 1 Four Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2011–12 Igls| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2012–13 La Plagne| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2016–17 St. Moritz| USA 1 Two Man}}
{{Medal|Bronze| 2016–17 Innsbruck| USA 1 Four Man}}
}}

'''Steven Paul Holcomb''' (April 14, 1980&nbsp;– May 6, 2017) was an American [[Bobsleigh|bobsledder]] who competed from 1998 until his death in 2017.<ref name="USBSF">{{cite web
| title = Steven Holcomb
| work = Men's Bobsled Biographies
| publisher = U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation
| year = 2006
| url = http://usbsf.com/Men%20Bio%20Holcomb.pdf
| access-date = 2007-10-12 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011658/http://usbsf.com/Men%20Bio%20Holcomb.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-09-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title = Holcomb, Steven (USA)
| work = Results Database
| publisher = WIGE MEDIA AG
| year = 2006
| url = http://www.sportresult.com/sports/bs/db/biography.asp?p_id=100510&nat=&sport=&sex=&season=&stat=&venue=&events=
| access-date = 2007-10-12
| archive-date = February 11, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120211154829/http://www.sportresult.com/sports/bs/db/biography.asp?p_id=100510&nat=&sport=&sex=&season=&stat=&venue=&events=
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> At the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] in [[Vancouver]], he won the four-man bobsled event for the United States, its first gold medal in that event since 1948.<ref>{{cite news
 |title       = U.S. claims first four-man gold medal since 1948
 |work        = Winter Olympic Games 2010 Results
 |date        = 2010-02-27
 |url         = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/olympics/2010/02/27/us.bobsled.gold.ap/index.html
 |access-date = 2010-02-27
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100302173512/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/olympics/2010/02/27/us.bobsled.gold.ap/index.html
 |archive-date = 2010-03-02
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref> At the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], he finished second in both the four-man and two-man event.

==Early career==
Holcomb learned to ski when he was 2 years old. He was born in [[Park City, Utah]], where his mother would take him skiing at every opportunity. He began ski racing when he was six at the main resort of Park City, and began ski racing for the Park City Ski Team for the following twelve years. During this time he was also an athlete in local sports, playing soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and running track. In 1998 he participated in a local USA bobsled team try-out and scored enough points to be invited to the National Team Camp, which included the National Push Championships. He finished in eighth place and was invited to stay for an additional week to train with the National Team. Despite his eighth-place finish, which qualified him for the national team, he was not selected because of his small stature and young age.

After placing 5th at the National Team Trials in early October 1998 at the [[Utah Olympic Park]], he chose to attend the [[University of Utah]]. Shortly following the naming of the American 1998 [[International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation|IBSF]] [[Bobsleigh World Cup]] team, an injury caused the withdrawal of one member. On November 3, 1998, he was asked to join the World Cup team in [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], for the first World Cup race, where he pushed for driver [[Brian Shimer]]. He then went on to have an above average career as a pusher for drivers Jim Herberich, Mike Dionne, [[Todd Hays]], and Brian Shimer. Shortly before the [[2002 Winter Olympics]], Holcomb was cut from Brian Shimer's team, and replaced with Dan Steele, a veteran from the [[1998 Winter Olympics]]. At the Utah Olympic Park for the 2002 Winter Olympics, he served as a bobsled forerunner, who tests the bobsled course prior to competition.

Starting with the 2004–2005 season, he achieved second and third ranked American driver. Holcomb left the military with an honorable discharge in June 2006, and focused on competition on the World Cup circuit. This led to immediate results in the [[2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup|2006–07 season]], where Holcomb (with team members Jovanovic and Kreitzburg) won the two-man World Cup Championship, while he finished second in the four-man competition (with Jovanovic, Kreitzburg, and Mesler), which earned Holcomb the overall Combined Championship.

As Holcomb rose through the ranks of American bobsledders, the degenerative eye disease [[Keratoconus]], initially diagnosed in 2002, began to affect his daily life and competitive skills, which led to depression.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic bobsledder overcomes depression, eye disorder to create lasting legacy |first=Scott |last=Stump |date=2014-01-17 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |url=http://www.today.com/news/olympic-bobsledder-overcomes-depression-eye-disorder-create-lasting-legacy-2D11837794 |access-date=2022-06-10}}</ref> In 2007, a non-invasive surgical procedure, [[corneal collagen cross-linking]] (C3-R), was performed to stabilize the disease,<ref>{{cite news |title=Sochi 2014: Steven Holcomb hopes to defend bobsled gold |first=Rick |last=Maese |date=2 February 2014 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/sochi-2014-steven-holcomb-hopes-to-defend-bobsled-gold/2014/02/02/e3358e6c-8a13-11e3-a760-a86415d0944d_story.html |access-date=2022-06-10 |url-access=limited}}</ref> and in 2008 implantable corrective lenses were inserted,<ref>{{cite news |title=Can Steven Holcomb and 'Night Train' reach victory lane? |first=Vicki |last=Michaelis |date=2010-02-09 |work=[[USA Today]] |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/vancouver/sliding/2010-02-09-holcomb-night-train_N.htm |access-date=2022-06-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307210312/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/vancouver/sliding/2010-02-09-holcomb-night-train_N.htm |archive-date=2019-03-07}}</ref> providing a measure of correction during the [[2007–08 Bobsleigh World Cup]] season; he led his teams to three gold, three silver, and one bronze medals over that season. After Holcomb won gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Brian Boxer Wachler renamed the procedure C3-R to Holcomb C3-R, marking the first time a medical procedure was named after an Olympic athlete.<ref>{{cite news |title=Go for the Gold: Steve Holcomb |first=Peggy |last=Shin |date=2013-08-28 |work=[[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|TeamUSA.org]] |url=https://www.teamusa.org/news/2013/january/01/go-for-the-gold-home/go-for-the-gold-steven-holcomb |access-date=2022-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914055616/http://www.teamusa.org/News/2013/January/01/Go-For-The-Gold-Home/Go-For-The-Gold-Steven-Holcomb |archive-date=2013-09-14 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/steve-holcomb-joins-the-doctors |people=Steve Holcomb, "[[The Doctors (talk show)|The Doctors]]" ([[Travis Lane Stork|Stork]], [[Andrew P. Ordon|Ordon]], [[Nita Landry|Landry]], <!--- Jim --->Sears, <!--- Lisa --->Masterson), Brian Boxer Wachler |title=Steve Holcomb Joins The Doctors |work=[[The Doctors (talk show)|The Doctors]] (season 2) |medium=video |location=[[Los Angeles]] |date=2010-04-26 |access-date=2022-06-10}}</ref>

==Career==
{{stack|[[File:USA-1 4 man bobsleigh team with gold medals at 2010 Winter Olympics 2010-02-27.jpg|thumb|The crew of the four-man USA-1 at the 2010 Winter Olympics [[Bobsleigh at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Four-man|with their gold medals]]. From left to right: Holcomb, [[Justin Olsen]], [[Steve Mesler]], and [[Curtis Tomasevicz]].]]}}
Over the course of his career, Holcomb piloted his two-man ("Night Hawk") and four-man ("Night Train") US teams to a total of 12 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 9 bronze medals across [[Bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics]], [[IBSF World Championships (bobsleigh and skeleton)|IBSF World Championships]] and season-long [[International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation|IBSF]] [[Bobsleigh World Cup]] final standings. His results in individual Bobsleigh World Cup races, contributing to each season's final standings, include 29 gold, 23 silver and 9 bronze medals. As of the completion of his final (2016–17) season of all international competitions{{snd}}and still true as of the completion of the 2021–22 sliding season{{snd}}Steven Holcomb is the winningest American bobsled athlete in history.

Included in his success was the first US Four-man Olympic Championship title in 62 years, and the first US Four-man World Championship title in 50 years.

===Olympics===
[[File:Steven Holcomb and Steven Langton 2014.jpg|thumb|left|Steven Holcomb and [[Steve Langton]], on 2014 Sochi Olympics podium with [[Bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Two-man|two-man bobsleigh bronze medals]]{{snd}}later upgraded to silver.]]
It was announced on 17 January 2010 that Holcomb made the United States team in both the two-man and four-man events for the [[2010 Winter Olympics]]. On February 17, Holcomb led the [[Bobsleigh at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Four-man|four-man US bobsled team to a gold-medal victory]], ending a 62-year gold medal drought in United States Olympic four-man bobsled competition.

Holcomb qualified for the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], in both the two-man and four-man bobsled. On February 16, Holcomb and brakeman [[Steve Langton]] won the bronze medal in the two-man competition, ending yet another 62-year medal drought in US Olympic two-man competition.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Holcomb and Langton break two man bobsled Olympic medal drought with bronze medal finish |first=Amanda |last=Bird |publisher=[[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|TeamUSA.org]] |date=2014-02-17 |url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-Skeleton-Federation/Features/2014/February/17/Holcomb-and-Langton-break-two-man-bobsled-Olympic-medal-drought-with-bronze-medal-finish |access-date=2017-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219221550/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-Skeleton-Federation/Features/2014/February/17/Holcomb-and-Langton-break-two-man-bobsled-Olympic-medal-drought-with-bronze-medal-finish |archive-date=2014-02-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These medals were upgraded to Silver Medals on March 27, 2019, when the IOC vacated the golds that Russian pilot Alexander Zubkov won in both the two- and four-man events due to doping.<ref>{{cite news |title=CAS upholds doping ban for Russian bobsledder Zubkov |date=2020-10-31 |work=[[France 24]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201031-cas-upholds-doping-ban-for-russian-bobsledder-zubkov |access-date=2022-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817175543/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201031-cas-upholds-doping-ban-for-russian-bobsledder-zubkov |archive-date=2021-08-17 |url-status=live}}</ref> That means Holcomb, who crossed the line third in both of those races, now is a two-time silver winner in addition to the four-man gold he won at Vancouver in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |title=USA Bobsled, the late Steve Holcomb awarded Olympic silver medal upgrades from 2014 Games |last=Kamrani |first=Christopher |date=March 27, 2019 |work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2019/03/27/usa-bobsled-late-steve/ |access-date=March 27, 2019 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328125453/https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2019/03/27/usa-bobsled-late-steve/ |archive-date=2019-03-28 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===World Championships, World Cup===
At season-ending [[IBSF World Championships (bobsleigh and skeleton)|IBSF World Championships]], Holcomb won four medals: a gold ([[FIBT World Championships 2009#Four-man|2009 Four-man]]) and three bronzes ([[FIBT World Championships 2008#Mixed team|2008 Mixed team]], [[FIBT World Championships 2009#Two-man|2009 Two-man]], [[FIBT World Championships 2009#Mixed team|2009 Mixed team]]).

Holcomb's successes at races during season-long [[International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation|IBSF]] [[Bobsleigh World Cup]] tournaments have resulted in numerous World Cup season titles. For the [[2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup]], Holcomb won the overall [[2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup#Two-man|2006–07 Two-man]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports123.com/bob/mwc-2.html |title=Bobsleigh {{!}} World Cup {{!}} Men: 2-Man |website=sports123.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427025444/http://sports123.com/bob/mwc-2.html |archive-date=2011-04-27}}</ref> and [[Bobsleigh World Cup#Combined men's|2006–07 Combined]] World Cup titles;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports123.com/bob/mwc-c.html |title=Bobsleigh {{!}} World Cup {{!}} Men: Combined |website=sports123.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427025451/http://sports123.com/bob/mwc-c.html |archive-date=2011-04-27}}</ref> the Combined title combines the results from both two-man and four-man competition, with Holcomb's second place in the [[2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup#Four-man|2006–07 Four-man]] standings contributing to his title win in the Combined standings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports123.com/bob/mwc-4.html |title=Bobsleigh {{!}} World Cup {{!}} Men: 4-Man |website=sports123.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427025448/http://sports123.com/bob/mwc-4.html |archive-date=2011-04-27}}</ref> The 2006–07 result also made him the first American man to win the [[Bobsleigh World Cup|Two-man World Cup title]]. With strong performances throughout the [[2009–10 Bobsleigh World Cup]] and [[2013–14 Bobsleigh World Cup]] seasons, Holcomb won the [[Bobsleigh World Cup#Combined men's|2009–10 Combined]] (his second), [[2009–10 Bobsleigh World Cup#Four-man 2|2009–10 Four-man]] (his first),  [[Bobsleigh World Cup#Combined men's|2013–14 Combined]] (his third) and [[Bobsleigh World Cup#Two-man|2013–14 Two-man]] (his second) World Cup season titles.

After his success on the 2013–14 World Cup circuit and at the 2014 Olympics, Holcomb fell back in the results for the World Cup and World Championship competitions of the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons. He roared back in the [[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup]] season, which ended on 19 March 2017, just seven weeks before Holcomb's death. During that season, Holcomb piloted his sleds to second place in the year-end [[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup#Two-man 2|2016–17 Two-man]], and third place in the year-end [[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup#Four-man 2|2016–17 Four-man]] and [[Bobsleigh World Cup#Combined men's|2016–17 Overall Combined]] World Cup standings.

{{stack|[[File:Steven Holcomb.jpg|thumb|197x197px|Holcomb receiving one of his three crystal trophies from his podium finishes in all three final standings ([[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup#Two-man 2|two-man]], [[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup#Four-man 2|four-man]], [[Bobsleigh World Cup#Combined men's|overall Combined]]) of the [[2016–17 Bobsleigh World Cup]] season. (19 March 2017)]]}}

==Military service==
Holcomb served as a soldier in the [[Utah Army National Guard]] for seven years,<ref>{{cite news |title=Military bobsledders dominate 4-man National Championships |first=Tim |last=Hipps |date=2009-01-15 |publisher=[[United States Army's Family and MWR Programs]] |url=http://www.armymwr.com/news/archive/news.aspx?nid=67 |access-date=2009-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203154952/http://www.armymwr.com/news/archive/news.aspx?nid=67 |archive-date=2010-12-03 |url-status=dead}}</ref> from March 1999 until July 2006. During his Army National Guard service, he served as a [[combat engineer]] in the 1457th Engineering Battalion. He took part in the [[U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program]] (WCAP) for seven years. At the end of 2006, he received an [[Honorable Discharge]] from service. While in the National Guard, he earned an [[Achievement Medal|Army Achievement Medal]], [[Army Commendation Medal]], [[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Good Conduct Medal]], [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Army Presidential Unit Citation]], [[Superior Unit Award|Army Superior Unit Award]] and [[Army Service Ribbon]].

==Education==
Holcomb attended [[The Winter Sports School in Park City]], graduating in 1997.

==Boy Scouts==
As a youth, Holcomb attained the rank of [[Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)|Eagle Scout]] in the [[Boy Scouts of America]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Half of Team USA's 'Night Train' bobsled team are Eagle Scouts |first=Bryan |last=Wendell |date=2014-02-14 |work=[[Scouting (magazine)|Scouting]] |url=https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/02/14/half-of-team-usas-night-train-bobsled-team-are-eagle-scouts/ |access-date=2017-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702102053/https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/02/14/half-of-team-usas-night-train-bobsled-team-are-eagle-scouts/ |archive-date=2019-07-02 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Death ==
Holcomb was found dead in room 202 at the [[United States Olympic Training Center#Lake Placid|US Olympic Training Center]] in [[Lake Placid, New York]], on May 6, 2017. He was 37.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. bobsledding star Steve Holcomb found dead in room at Olympic training center |first=David |last=Wharton |date=2017-05-06 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-holcomb-death-20170506-story.html |access-date=2017-05-08 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506215223/https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-holcomb-death-20170506-story.html |archive-date=2017-05-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> The initial autopsy cited fluid in Holcomb's lungs as a significant factor, while a subsequent toxicology report indicated that Holcomb had a [[Blood alcohol content|blood-alcohol level]] of 0.188, along with a level of the sleeping aid [[Lunesta]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Steven Holcomb had pills, alcohol in system at death |date=2017-06-13 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |website=[[NBC Sports]] |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2017/06/13/steven-holcomb-autopsy-pills-alcohol/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418064152/https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2017/06/13/steven-holcomb-autopsy-pills-alcohol/ |archive-date=2021-04-18 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Holcomb had been found in his room by [[Katie Uhlaender]], his close friend and US Olympic [[Skeleton (sport)|skeleton]] athlete.<ref>{{cite news |title=Skeleton slider, Olympic veteran Katie Uhlaender opens up after losing her best friend, Steve Holcomb |first=Christopher |last=Kamrani |date=2017-09-26 |work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2017/09/26/skeleton-slider-olympic-veteran-katie-uhlaender-opens-up-after-losing-her-best-friend-steve-holcomb/ |access-date=2022-06-10 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005101407/https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2017/09/26/skeleton-slider-olympic-veteran-katie-uhlaender-opens-up-after-losing-her-best-friend-steve-holcomb/ |archive-date=2017-10-05 |url-status=live}}</ref> Holcomb and Uhlaender were featured in ''The Weight of Gold'' (2020), an [[HBO#Documentaries|HBO Sports Documentary]] which "explor(es) the mental health challenges that Olympic athletes often face."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/tv/hbo-canada/the-weight-of-gold/ |title=The Lede: HBO {{!}} The Weight of Gold |work=[[Bell Media]] |access-date=2022-06-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220610191047/https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/tv/hbo-canada/the-weight-of-gold/ |archive-date=2022-06-10 |quote=exploring the mental health challenges that Olympic athletes often face.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=HBO's 'The Weight of Gold' a must-watch documentary showing mental health issues Olympic athletes face |first=Ian |last=Casselberry |date=2020-07-28 |work=AwfulAnnouncing.com |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/hbo/hbo-weight-of-gold-must-watch-documentary-mental-health-issues-olympic-athletes.html |access-date=2022-06-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730054401/https://awfulannouncing.com/hbo/hbo-weight-of-gold-must-watch-documentary-mental-health-issues-olympic-athletes.html |archive-date= 2020-07-30}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bkRqflduCnsC |title=But Now I See: My Journey from Blindness to Olympic Gold |first1=Steven |last1=Holcomb |first2=Steve |last2=Eubanks |publisher=BenBella Books |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-93785601-4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IBSF}}
* {{Team USA|new_id=steven-holcomb|old_id=HO/Steven-Holcomb|archive=20230606182911}}
* {{Olympics.com profile}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510093452/http://www.stevenholcomb.com/ |title=Official website |date=mdy}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions Bobsleigh Four-man}}
{{Footer World Champions Bobsleigh Four-man}}
{{Footer World Champions Bobsleigh Two-man}}
{{Footer World Champions Bobsleigh-Skeleton Mixed Team}}
{{Footer World Cup Champions Bobsleigh Men's Combined}}
{{Footer World Cup Champions Bobsleigh Two-Man}}
{{Footer World Cup Champions Bobsleigh Four-Man}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Holcomb, Steven}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Park City, Utah]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Utah]]
[[Category:Sports deaths in New York (state)]]
[[Category:American male alpine skiers]]
[[Category:American male bobsledders]]
[[Category:Bobsledders at the 2006 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Bobsledders at the 2010 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Bobsledders at the 2014 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2014 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in bobsleigh]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in bobsleigh]]
[[Category:United States Army soldiers]]
[[Category:Utah National Guard personnel]]
[[Category:U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]