Bold opening hook: A hometown dreamer turned Olympic hopeful proves that community can move mountains—and that a single crowdfunding push can open the door to the world stage. And this is the part most people miss: it takes more than talent to reach the Olympics; it takes a village.
St. Catharines, Ontario, native Keaton Bruggeling—best known as a wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats—will make his Olympic debut with Canada’s four-man bobsleigh squad at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games. He credits the extraordinary support of family, friends, and countless strangers for making the journey possible.
Bruggeling’s path into bobsleigh began unexpectedly during CFL preparations in 2023. While aiming for a spot in the Canadian Football League, he caught the attention of Olympic-caliber bobsledders Jay Dearborn and Mike Evelyn O’Higgins, who later joined him on the track. Three years on, the 27-year-old is set to take part in his first Olympic competition, with his first race weekend coming soon.
Yet the road to Italy wasn’t inexpensive: each athlete faces a $25,000 competition fee. Bruggeling says the season’s expenses were mitigated thanks to a community-driven crowdfunding effort that raised more than $10,200 online. “It was amazing to see how many people came together and believed in me,” he remarked. “It warms my heart to know I have this kind of support behind me.”
Funding challenges have hit Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton hard. The federation reported a loss of over $1 million prior to the season, which pushed team fees up for every athlete and left the sport with significant financial hurdles to clear. Bruggeling notes the broader difficulty: “In bobsleigh, the Germans are the best. They have the best equipment, the most funding, and they tend to dominate the sport.”
Despite these obstacles, Bruggeling remains focused on his targets. He identifies Team USA and Team Switzerland as strong rivals but emphasizes camaraderie: “As much as I’m hoping to beat them, I’m wishing them the best because they’re all my friends. We spend a lot of time together. It’s a remarkable community, and bobsleigh as a whole is something special.”
A parallel thread in Bruggeling’s story is the thrill of trying something new. Before switching gears to bobsled, he played varsity football for the Carleton Ravens and continued his career with the Tiger-Cats. The transition happened during a CFL off-season in Ottawa: an encounter with Dearborn and O’Higgins revealed to him that his speed, power, and explosive starts could translate well to the bobsled track. He describes the sensation as incomparable—likening it to skydiving, but with the added rush of speed as he rockets down the track at roughly 150 km/h.
The training grind is relentless. During the CFL off-season, Bruggeling put in work at an ice-house in Calgary and at Lake Placid, New York, using push sleds to simulate the start and build the necessary power. He candidly acknowledges the sport’s intensity: “You can only slide two or three times a day because it’s so hard on your body.” He also notes the equipment’s rugged reality: “There aren’t many safety features in the sled. You grip the frame and trust your training while you push your body to its limits.”
Competition details: Canada’s four-man bobsleigh team will be on the track in Milano-Cortina with heats scheduled for February 21 and 22. Bruggeling’s first appearances will come in the early hours of those days, with heats set for 3:50 a.m. Eastern Time.
For more on Bruggeling’s journey and his gratitude toward the St. Catharines community, CBC’s coverage highlights his appreciation for the people who rallied behind him—and offers a window into the broader challenges facing Canada’s return to bobsleigh prominence.
Controversial note and call to discussion: This story spotlights a recurring debate in Olympic-level sport—whether publicly funded programs or private community fundraising should shoulder more of the financial burden. Should athletes be required to rely on crowdfunding and personal networks to compete on the world stage, or should national federations guarantee robust support? What do you think is fair, and where should the balance lie? Share your views in the comments.
