Skip to main content

Pierre LuedersJeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

Pierre Lueders has slid into the sunset, for now at least.

The Olympic champion who won more than 100 international medals announced Wednesday he was resigning as national team development coach with Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton.

In a statement, the Calgary-based Lueders said: "I have dedicated 22 years of my life almost exclusively to the sport of bobsleigh in Canada - both as an athlete and a coach - but I feel now it is time to take a break, look at other career options and most importantly spend some much-needed time with my family.

"My goals when I joined the sport in 1989 was to leave the Canadian bobsleigh team in a better place than when I started. Working with world-leading coaches, countless talented teammates and mentoring aspiring Olympians, I believe I have accomplished that."

A five-time Olympian, Lueders won Olympic gold in 1998 and silver in 2006. He also had eight world championship podium finishes. After retiring, Lueders worked with Justin Kripps and Jenny Ciochetti, helping them become World Cup pilots.

"Bobsleigh in Canada is synonymous with Pierre Lueders," said Reid Morrison, president of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton. "He is the most successful athlete in the history of our sport, and there is no doubt the extensive experience and knowledge he brought to the program as a coach over the last two years has played a critical role in fast-tracking the development of our young pilots."

Lueders will remain in Calgary with his wife and two daughters.

Interact with The Globe