From the pool to the ice: How a Calgary athlete is making the switch from elite diving to Olympic bobsleigh

After years of competing as an elite diver, a Calgary athlete is hoping to become a member of Team Canada, but not in aquatics — instead, he's making the jump into Olympic bobsleigh.

When Yohan Eskrick-Parkinson retired from springboard diving this summer, he thought his athletic career was over. Armed with a degree in neuroscience from Northwestern University, he started applying to medical school.

Then, a former strength-training coach of his at the MNP Community and Sport Centre, and two time Olympic medallist Lascelles Brown, suggested he try out for the Team Canada bobsleigh team.

It was a pretty easy decision for Eskrick-Parkinson after that.

"Every other time I've made a huge decision to try something new, it's been the best decision in my life ... I saw this door open for me and I thought I've just got to take the crazy option," he said.

"And I think that says something about second opportunities and really taking the leap of faith on things."

Eskrick-Parkinson says he thinks his background in diving will help him pick up bobsleigh quickly. Both sports involve a high degree of technicality, and as a pusher, the role on the team he's trying out for, Eskrick-Parkinson will have to perform well for a short burst of time, a similar rhythm to diving.

But although he's been training with Team Canada since the end of August, he has yet to step onto an actual track.

All that will change this week, when he and the team travel to Whistler, B.C, for a three-week training camp, at the end of which he'll learn whether or not he's made the squad.

"Obviously he's at a pretty big advantage with his athletic ability and his work ethic," said Taylor Austin, the current pilot of Team Canada's four-man bobsleigh team.

"But again,