Karlos Kirby
Encyclopedia
Karlos Kirby is an American
bobsledder who competed during the 1990s.
A native of Iowa
, in 1992 Kirby became the first person from the state of Iowa to compete in a Winter Olympic Games. A bobsledder, Kirby earned a bronze medal in the four-man event at the 1993 FIBT World Championships
in Igls, Austria. This accomplishment marked Kirby as one of the first United States Bobsled athletes to medal in a World Championships in 28 years.
A fierce competitor, Kirby picked up five U.S. National Push Championships on his way to competing in two Winter Olympics - Albertville
in 1992
and Lillehammer
in 1994
.
Once retired from competing Kirby became a leading advocate for other U.S. Olympic athletes through serving as a member of the United States Olympic Committee
's Athletes Advisory Committee, the United States Olympic Committee's Board of Directors, and an Executive Committee member of the Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee’s Board of Directors. Some of Kirby's leading initiatives included: getting women's bobsled recognized as an official Olympic sport in 2002, establishing educational opportunities for Olympic and Paralympic level athlete, and finical support of top ten World Championship/Olympic finishes.
An advocate for education, he earned his Bachelor's
and Master's degrees at the University of New Mexico
and an Educational Specialist
degree from Drake University
. Kirby was also accepted and studied at Oxford University.
Following stints working in television and insurance, Kirby later became an adjunct professor at William Penn University
. He also taught extension courses at Drake University.
In his spare time, Kirby is a community activist volunteering for Special Olympics Iowa, the American Red Cross, and the local food pantry. Additionally, Kirby spends numerous hours each month working with school kids regarding making good decisions.
In 2004, Kirby accepted a commission in the United States Navy Reserve
as an ensign
, serving as a public affairs
officer for the US Navy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bobsledder who competed during the 1990s.
A native of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, in 1992 Kirby became the first person from the state of Iowa to compete in a Winter Olympic Games. A bobsledder, Kirby earned a bronze medal in the four-man event at the 1993 FIBT World Championships
FIBT World Championships 1993
The FIBT World Championships 1993 took place in Igls, Austria and La Plagne, France . This was Igls's fourth time hosting the championships, doing so previously in 1935 and 1963, and 1991 . Meanwhile, La Plagne was hosting its first championship event.-Selection issue:Igls was not the first...
in Igls, Austria. This accomplishment marked Kirby as one of the first United States Bobsled athletes to medal in a World Championships in 28 years.
A fierce competitor, Kirby picked up five U.S. National Push Championships on his way to competing in two Winter Olympics - Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
in 1992
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
and Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
in 1994
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
.
Once retired from competing Kirby became a leading advocate for other U.S. Olympic athletes through serving as a member of the United States Olympic Committee
United States Olympic Committee
The United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various...
's Athletes Advisory Committee, the United States Olympic Committee's Board of Directors, and an Executive Committee member of the Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee’s Board of Directors. Some of Kirby's leading initiatives included: getting women's bobsled recognized as an official Olympic sport in 2002, establishing educational opportunities for Olympic and Paralympic level athlete, and finical support of top ten World Championship/Olympic finishes.
An advocate for education, he earned his Bachelor's
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
and Master's degrees at the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
and an Educational Specialist
Educational Specialist
The Education Specialist, also referred to as Educational Specialist, Specialist in Education, or Ed.S., is an advanced academic degree in the U.S...
degree from Drake University
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
. Kirby was also accepted and studied at Oxford University.
Following stints working in television and insurance, Kirby later became an adjunct professor at William Penn University
William Penn University
William Penn University is a private, liberal arts university in Oskaloosa, Iowa, United States. It was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends in 1873 as Penn College...
. He also taught extension courses at Drake University.
In his spare time, Kirby is a community activist volunteering for Special Olympics Iowa, the American Red Cross, and the local food pantry. Additionally, Kirby spends numerous hours each month working with school kids regarding making good decisions.
In 2004, Kirby accepted a commission in the United States Navy Reserve
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
as an ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
, serving as a public affairs
Public affairs (military)
Public Affairs is a term for the formal offices of the branches of the United States Department of Defense whose purpose is to deal with the media and community issues. The term is also used for numerous media relations offices that are created by the U.S. military for more specific limited purposes...
officer for the US Navy.