Olympian Jesse Lumsden Gets Nod to Lead Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s High-Performance Program

CALGARY—Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton has turned to one of Canada’s most respected multi-sport athletes and three-time Olympic bobsledder, Jesse Lumsden, to lead a new generation of sliding sport athletes as the organization’s new High-Performance Director.

Compassionate, selfless, willing to challenge obstacles while exuding a passion for sport, fair play and a commitment to excellence, the 41-year-old returns to sport after playing an instrumental role in the growth of Neo Financial over the last 4.5 years, one of Canada’s fastest growing tech companies. Lumsden rushed into the business world following his athletic career where he built on the leadership skills acquired in CFL locker rooms and on the World Cup bobsleigh circuit to grow partnerships, his account management team and organizational effectiveness in the business world.

“I’m very excited to rejoin Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton from a leadership perspective. I always knew I’d find my way back to sport, but it was important for me to step away to develop different skills and work with other like-minded, high performing people.  Helping get Neo Financial off the ground and develop into the fastest growing fintech company in Canada was an exceptional opportunity to grow and to pursue incredibly challenging goals.  It is a place where I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the brightest and hardest working people in the technology industry” said Lumsden, who is married to Olympic silver-medal winning bobsleigh pilot, Helen Upperton. “There is a lot that can be taken from that high performance corporate environment and injected into a national sport organization.

“With the passion and love that I have for this organization, I am very excited to work and collaborate with the great people involved to build Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton back up to the program we all believe it can be, which is a top contending skeleton and bobsleigh nation for a long time to come.”

Lumsden spent six seasons in the Canadian Football League where he was a standout running back with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Edmonton Eskimos before retiring with the Calgary Stampeders in 2011 to focus on bobsleigh where he blossomed into one of the sport’s elite push athletes and team leaders.

“Bobsleigh extended my athletic career much longer than I thought possible. It’s a unique sport that affords athletes a unique opportunity.  Perhaps their sport was cut short for some reason, or maybe they dream of representing Canada in more than one sport internationally like Phlyicia George, Georgia Simmerling or Clara Hughes to name a few,” he said.

Lumsden represented Canada in both the two- and four-man competitions at three Olympic Games (2018, 2014, 2010), won more than 15 World Cup medals, two World Championship silver medals, and two Crystal Globes. His impressive tenure also included setting two start records and earning the World Push Championship title.

“Jesse is a highly motivated leader who knows what it takes to develop a positive, support culture while achieving results,” said Kien Tran, who was named Chief Executive Officer of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton in May. “A talented multi-sport athlete with dreams of competing on the biggest stage, he represents the athletes our program strives to recruit, but also understands the patience and time investment required to achieve big goals, which he has carried with him into his corporate career. This is a new beginning for Jesse. I know he will grow in his new role with our program, and I am confident he will transfer the knowledge gained as an athlete and business leader to ensure Canada reclaims its position as one of the leading skeleton and bobsleigh nations in the world.

As High-Performance Director, Lumsden will be responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of Canada’s skeleton and bobsleigh national programs. He will work closely with a Canadian made coaching and support staff to develop and deliver the highest quality program to Canadian athletes.

Lumsden will officially begin his new role on July 1, 2024.

Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton is a non-profit organization and the national governing body for the sports of bobsleigh and skeleton in Canada. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Karbon, Athabasca Oil Corporation in collaboration with Canada Actions I Love Energy – along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton develops champions in the community, on and off the track, who have a passion for bobsleigh and skeleton. Please visit us at www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca.