SGT Michael Kohn: Bobsled

Sergeant Michael Kohn grew up in northern Virginia. He received a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. He joined the Army National Guard in 1999 as an Infantry Soldier, completing his Basic and Infantry AIT training at Fort Benning, GA.

Kohn became a competitive athlete at an early age. In high school, he excelled at football and in track and field. He was first introduced to the bobsled in 1990 and, at age 18, he was the youngest competitor in the 1991 Olympic Trials.

After graduating from George Mason University, Kohn entered World Cup racing in 1998 and finished fifth in the 1999 World Championships. In 2002, he won the Bronze medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics in the 4-man event—the first U.S. Olympic medal in men’s bobsled since 1956.

Kohn, along with other military athletes, was honored in ceremonies at the White House. They were also recognized at the Pentagon by the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard in Washington, DC.

Following the 2002 Olympics, Kohn switched from push athlete to driver. Since that time, he has won multiple National Championships and a World Cup Silver medal, and has had many Top-10 finishes.

A member of the Virginia National Guard, Kohn is one of several U.S. Olympic bobsled Soldier-Athletes who have benefited from the National Guard Outstanding Athlete Program.

Noteworthy

  • 2007 National Champion in 2-man and Bronze medalist in 4-man
  • Three Top-10 World Cup finishes during the 2006-2007 season
  • 2005 National Champion in 4-man and Silver medalist in 2-man
  • 2004 Silver medalist in the Lake Placid World Cup
  • Switched from push athlete to driver after the 2002 Olympics
  • Named among People magazine’s “Top 50 Most Eligible Bachelors” in 2002
  • Visited troops in Afghanistan after the 2002 Olympics
  • 2002 Olympic 4-man Bronze medalist with driver Brian Shimer
  • Youngest competitor in the 1991 Olympic Trials
  • Member of the Virginia Army National Guard

In His Own Words
“It’s just really an honor for me to be up here, representing our country. It’s just an unbelievable feeling.”