Ken Kotyk

Last updated
Ken Kotyk
Ken Kotyk Olympian Canadian Bobsledder.jpg
Ken Kotyk
Personal information
Nationality Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canadian
Born (1981-02-07) 7 February 1981 (age 44)
Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada
EducationB.Sc. Kin/B.Ed. Physical Education and Science, University of Saskatchewan
OccupationStrength & conditioning coach
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight96.16 kg (212.0 lb)
Sport
CountryFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
SportBobsleigh pictogram.svg Bobsleigh
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals Olympic rings.svg 4th
Medal record
Men's Bobsleigh
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
World Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2007 St. Moritz Four-man
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2005 Calgary Four-man

Kenneth Alfred Kotyk (born 7 February 1981) is a Canadian Olympic, World, and World Cup champion bobsledder who competed from 2003 to 2010. He was a brakeman for four-man bobsleigh, and resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Contents

Biography

Early life and education

Ken Kotyk grew up on his family farm in Rama, Saskatchewan.

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. [1]

Bobsleigh career (2003–2010)

Canada's Bobsled 1 with David Bissett, Lascelles Brown, Ken Kotyk and skip Pierre Lueders, from left, celebrate on the podium during the victory ceremony for the four-man Bobsleigh World Cup competition in 2022. Canada's team with David Bissett, Lascelles Brown, Ken Kotyk and skip Pierre Lueders, from left, celebrate on the podium during the victory ceremony for the four-man Bobsleigh World Cup competition in 07-22.png
Canada's Bobsled 1 with David Bissett, Lascelles Brown, Ken Kotyk and skip Pierre Lueders, from left, celebrate on the podium during the victory ceremony for the four-man Bobsleigh World Cup competition in 2022.

Kotyk debuted on the international season circuit in 2003–04. He became a key push-athlete alongside driver Pierre Lueders in the four-man sled, working with teammates including Morgan Alexander, Lascelles Brown, Justin Kripps, and David Bissett.

Major career highlights

  • Bronze medal, four-man, FIBT World Championships 2005 (Calgary) [2] – behind Germany's Lange and Russia Also set the Canadian track record on the 2nd run alongside Lueders, Alexander & Brown
  • 4th place, four-man, 2006 Winter Olympics (Turin) [3]
  • Silver medal, four-man, FIBT World Championships 2007 (St. Moritz) [4] , finishing just 0.23 seconds behind gold
  • Collected 12 Bobsleigh World Cup podiums, including wins in Königssee, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Calgary, Lake Placid and Park City in the 2006–07 & 2007–08 seasons

Current records held

Kotyk getting ready for bobsleigh again in 2025 Olympian Ken Kotyk 2025 Blue Background.jpg
Kotyk getting ready for bobsleigh again in 2025

Kotyk holds the Canadian bobsleigh start record, set at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.[ citation needed ]

Post-competition career and personal life

After retiring in 2010, Kotyk transitioned into coaching and entrepreneurship. He runs Kotyk Athletic Performance, a strength amd conditioning business based in Calgary. He served as the head trainer and strength and conditioning coach at Calgary's MNP Community and Sport Centre

In 2025, Kotyk launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming for a comeback at the 2026 Winter Olympics, underlining his ongoing passion for competition.

He is the father of two daughters.

References

  1. ↑ "Ken Kotyk Age, Birthday, Zodiac Sign and Birth Chart". 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  2. ↑ "IBSF | International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation: Result". www.ibsf.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  3. ↑ "Ken Kotyk". Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website. 2011-09-18. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  4. ↑ "Olympedia – Ken Kotyk". www.olympedia.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
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