Ken Kotyk
Kenneth Kotyk
Born: 7 February 1981, Canora (Rama), Saskatchewan, Canada
Nationality: Canadian
Height / Weight: 1.83 m / ~88–98 kg[1]
Role: Bobsleigh push-athlete for Team Canada
Current Residence: Calgary, Alberta
Olympian: 2006 Winter Olympics Turin[2]
Early Life & Education
Ken Kotyk grew up in Rama, Saskatchewan (near Canora). He studied kinesiology and English at the University of Saskatchewan, where he participated in volleyball and track & field. This athletic foundation helped pivot him into bobsledding in 2003.[3]
Bobsleigh Career (2003–2007)
- Debuted on the international season circuit in 2003–04.
- Became a key push-athlete alongside driver Pierre Lueders in the four-man sled, working with teammates like Morgan Alexander, Lascelles Brown, and David Bissett[4]
Major Career Highlights
- Bronze medal, Four-man, FIBT World Championships 2005 (Calgary) – behind Germany's Lange and Russia[5]
- 4th place, Four-man, 2006 Winter Olympics (Turin); track record in the first run alongside Lueders, Alexander & Brown Olympics[1]
- Silver medal, Four-man, FIBT World Championships 2007 (St. Moritz), finishing just 0.23 seconds behind gold[6]
- Collected multiple World Cup podiums, including wins in Königssee, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Calgary, Lake Placid and Park City in both 2006–07 & 2007–08 seasons [7]
Post-Competition Career & Personal Life
After retiring in 2007, Kotyk transitioned into coaching and entrepreneurship:
- Runs Kotyk Athletic Performance, a strength & conditioning business.
- Served as the Head Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Calgary's MNP Community & Sport Centre
- Active on Instagram with posts highlighting recovery/mobility programs and athletic training
- Father of two daughters, balancing family life while giving back to the community through youth health and fitness initiatives .
In 2025, Kotyk launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming for a comeback at the 2026 Winter Olympics, underlining his ongoing passion for competition
References
- ^ a b "Olympedia – Ken Kotyk". www.olympedia.org. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ "Ken Kotyk". Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website. 2011-09-18. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ "Ken Kotyk Age, Birthday, Zodiac Sign and Birth Chart". 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ "2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup", Wikipedia, 2025-06-03, retrieved 2025-07-10
- ^ "FIBT World Championships 2005", Wikipedia, 2025-06-28, retrieved 2025-07-10
- ^ "FIBT World Championships 2007", Wikipedia, 2024-12-14, retrieved 2025-07-10
- ^ "2006–07 Bobsleigh World Cup", Wikipedia, 2025-06-03, retrieved 2025-07-10
{{Short description|Biography}}