Ottawa's Mike Evelyn: From Software Code to Olympic Bobsled Track
In a remarkable story of dedication and dual passions, Ottawa resident Mike Evelyn is preparing to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics as a bobsledder, while maintaining his full-time career as a software engineer. This unique journey highlights the extraordinary balance between professional life and elite athletic pursuit.
A Day Job in Technology, Night Training on Ice
By day, Mike Evelyn works as an engineer in Ottawa's technology sector, contributing to software development and digital solutions. When his workday ends, his focus shifts dramatically to the icy tracks where he trains as part of Canada's national bobsled team. This demanding schedule requires exceptional time management and physical endurance, as Evelyn navigates the contrasting worlds of computer programming and high-speed winter sports.
Evelyn's path to the Olympics has been years in the making. He previously competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as part of Canada's four-man bobsled team, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of international competition. That experience, combined with continued training and development, has positioned him for another Olympic appearance in 2026.
The Challenge of Dual Careers
Balancing a demanding technology career with Olympic-level athletic training presents significant challenges that Evelyn has learned to navigate effectively. The mental discipline required for software engineering complements the physical demands and split-second decision-making needed in bobsledding, creating a unique synergy between his two pursuits.
"The precision required in both fields is surprisingly similar," Evelyn has noted in previous interviews. "Whether you're debugging code or navigating a bobsled track at 130 kilometers per hour, attention to detail makes all the difference."
Building on Previous Olympic Experience
Evelyn's 2022 Olympic experience in Beijing, where he competed alongside teammates including Christopher Spring, Cody Sorensen, and Samuel Giguere, provided crucial foundation for his current Olympic aspirations. The team's performance and camaraderie during those Games have informed his approach to the 2026 competition, with lessons learned about international competition, team dynamics, and peak performance under pressure.
As Evelyn prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics, his story serves as an inspiration to working professionals across Canada who pursue athletic dreams alongside career responsibilities. His ability to excel in both domains demonstrates that with proper planning, support systems, and determination, seemingly incompatible pursuits can coexist and even enhance one another.
The Ottawa community has rallied behind Evelyn's Olympic journey, recognizing the extraordinary commitment required to maintain excellence in both technology and sport. His story represents not just personal achievement, but the potential for individuals to pursue multiple passions without sacrificing professional success or athletic ambition.
