LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2019) – Almost six years after they were awarded bronze medals at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Steve Langton, Chris Fogt, Curt Tomasevicz, and the late Steven Holcomb’s family were presented with the medals the team rightfully earned at the Sanki Sliding Center– silver ones. The medal reallocation ceremony took place tonight at the 2019 Team USA Awards at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. NBC will provide coverage of the awards show from 3-4 p.m. EST on Dec. 22.
"Justice has been served, and I know that my teammates and I competed clean and these are the medals that we earned in Sochi," Langton said. "That part feels fantastic. Obviously there are a lot of other emotions with Steve not being here to celebrate with us, but tonight was a nice way for us to honor him."
Holcomb passed away unexpectedly in May 2017, putting a sudden and tragic end to a building legacy. Holcomb was the best bobsledder in U.S. history with over 60 World Cup medals, five world titles and five other World Championship medals, six World Cup titles and three Olympic medals. Holcomb snapped a 62-year medal drought by piloting his four-man bobsled to a gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, and then went on to win what he originally thought were bronze medals in both the two-and four-man bobsled events at the Sochi Games.
Russia was victorious in both the two-and four-man bobsled competitions in Sochi, but those medals were stripped in November 2017 after Alexander Zubkov and Alexey Voevoda were disqualified for doping violations. The International Olympic Committee announced in March 2019 that the medals would be reallocated; Holcomb, Langton, Fogt and Tomasevicz were officially upgraded to silver.
"We went through the process and got to experience a special moment in Sochi, so we have those memories, but part of it was different," Tomasevicz said. "You look back at the competition and you feel like something was missing and that breaks my heart. In the end we’re still trying to fight for what is right and it’s good to have a moment like this tonight."
"This medal feels amazing, but it’s been a bittersweet day," Fogt said. "We’re excited to be here and we’re glad that justice was served and we were able to get these silver medals, but it’s bittersweet because the leader of our team, our friend, is not here with us."
Holcomb’s mother, Jean Schaefer, his father, Steve Holcomb Sr., and his sisters, Megan Holcomb and Stephanie Peterson, represented him at tonight’s ceremony and were handed the silver medals.
"Steve’s family was a part of the bobsled family since I started the sport," Tomasevicz said. "They came to the very first races I competed in, so I got to know them very well and this moment wouldn’t be the same without them here."
Brian Shimer, who was the USA Bobsled Head Coach in Sochi, participated in the ceremony, and while several USA Bobsled/Skeleton staff members were also present, many were unable to attend due to competitions underway for the 2019-2020 season. Despite not being there in person, many former teammates and coaches expressed their excitement for Holcomb, Langton, Fogt and Tomasevicz.
"This is truly an exciting day for them, their friends and family, USA Bobsled, and the country," said three-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor. "Although Holcomb’s legacy is way more than about any medal he’s won, this is truly a great addition and something everyone should celebrate. Welcome, Holcy, Curt, Langton, and Chris, to the Sochi silver medal club."
Please contact Director of Marketing and Communications Amanda Bird with media inquiries at amanda.bird@usabs.com.
About USA Bobsled & Skeleton
USA Bobsled & Skeleton (USABS), based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. USABS would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: BMW of North America, Under Armour, Kampgrounds of America, BiPro, Boomerang Carnets, Hudl, PVS International, and deBotech. For more information, please visit the USABS website atwww.usabs.com.
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