Salomé Kora: From Olympic Sprinter to Bobsleigh Pioneer

Salomé Kora is set to make history as the first Swiss woman to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The Saint-Gallen native, a seasoned sprinter, is transitioning to bobsleigh for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

A Historic Transition

Kora, born on June 8, 1994, has already participated in three Summer Olympic Games: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 [1]. She has as well competed in five World Athletics Championships, including the most recent in Tokyo in 2025 [1]. She will compete as a pusher for Debora Annen in the two-woman bobsleigh event, beginning on Friday, February 20, 2026 [2].

Prior to this historic bid, only six Swiss men had competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympics [1]. “I find it extremely cool to be able to enter a little into the history of Swiss sport,” Kora stated [1].

From Track to Ice

Kora earned her spot on the bobsleigh team by placing second in the Swiss Bobsleigh Federation’s internal selection process in Oberhof in late 2025 [1]. While she had previously received offers to try bobsleigh around ten years ago, she initially declined, focusing on her sprinting career [1].

The pivotal moment came after conversations with German athlete Alexandra Burghardt, a silver medalist in two-man bobsleigh at the 2022 Olympics and a relay medalist at the 2024 Paris Games [1]. Burghardt’s positive experience encouraged Kora to pursue the opportunity, viewing it as a final chance to participate in the Winter Olympics before the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games [1].

Challenges and Support

The transition to bobsleigh has presented unique challenges, particularly adapting to the G-forces and the demands of pushing a 180-kilogram machine [1]. “We have our heads down, we can’t see anything, it shakes, it compresses,” Kora explained [1]. She experienced significant neck soreness after initial training sessions.

Timing and synchronization with the pilot, Debora Annen, are also crucial for success. Kora emphasized the importance of leaving at precisely the same moment as the driver [1].

Kora is receiving strong support from her friend and fellow sprinter, Sarah Atcho-Jaquier, who is attending the Winter Olympics to cheer her on [1]. Atcho-Jaquier described Kora as “extremely loyal,” “organized,” “honest,” and “direct” [1].

Looking Ahead

Salomé Kora’s journey from the track to the ice represents a remarkable feat of athleticism and determination. As she prepares to compete in Cortina d’Ampezzo, she embodies the spirit of versatility and dedication that defines the Olympic movement [3], [4].