The bobsled is the original sledding sport that premiered at the first Winter Games in 1924 and the first official games in 1928. Derived over 150 years ago from the tradition of tobogganing in the Alps, the bobsleigh has been a popular winter sport for many years. Only recently, in 2002, were women allowed to compete in the Winter Games.

The Olympic events are broken up into three races, two-men, four-men and four-women in four heats over the course of two days. The sled is very aerodynamic, made of fiberglass, metal and four highly polished steel runners.

Each race begins with the Olympians making a timed push start that effects their speed down the track. Races are judged to the .01 of a second. The fastest time wins.