Gator Olympian to speak at upcoming seminar

March 30, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Steve Mesler, an Olympic gold medalist and graduate of the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance, will speak at a seminar at 10 a.m. Thursday on the Florida Gym courts.

Mesler, who graduated with a degree in exercise and sports sciences in 2000, recently won a gold medal for the U.S. team in the four-man bobsled race at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Mesler began his career in June 2001 when he attended the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation tryouts in San Diego. He joined the national team during the 2001 season and became an alternate for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Mesler finished seventh in the four-man sled race in the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. After receiving this recognition, he became a member of Steve Holcomb’s four-man squad, also known as the “Night Train.”

He sits in the third slot in the “Night Train.” This position requires fitness and skill because it controls the speed and balance of the sled. Mesler is the fastest member of the team and is responsible for pushing the sled at the start of the race.

Mesler and his teammates won the first world title for the U.S. men in half a century during the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid. His team also won a World Cup title for the fist time in 17 years for the U.S. In the next season, the team won the overall 2010 World Cup crown.

After discussing his experiences in the Olympic Games, Mesler will hold a question-and-answer session. He also will be available for photographs with his fans. The event is free and open to the public.