As we approach the start of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, there is one Florida athlete who hopes to make the trip to Milan.

Josh Williamson is a former Mercer College lacrosse player and graduated from Florida State University. The Lake Mary, Florida, native, at just 19 years old, signed up for a recruitment for Team USA’s Bobsled team.

“I vividly remember when he actually decided to do it,” Kay Williamson said. “We were watching the summer Olympics, and we were watching one of those really close races in swimming. And the U.S. won, and he goes, ‘I’m going to do this bobsled thing.’ And I said, ‘Josh, you’re from Florida.’”

Kay and her husband, Steve Williamson, always knew their 29-year-old son had a drive, perseverance and a dream.

“High school doesn’t have bobsled here in Florida,” Steve said with a laugh.“You know, there’s no high school you know program that does. But you know, he did some research, and he wanted to go to the Olympics.”

A few weeks before Josh signed up for Team USA recruitment, he had the opportunity to be on the U.S. Olympics reality show called “The Next Olympic Hopeful.”

He won the show and learned from Olympic athletes who became his mentors and later teammates. Josh got selected to compete in his first Olympics in 2022.

“We were ecstatic,” Kay said.

“You know, it was just a dream come true. We knew for him, you know, and as his parents, we’re very much so supportive of that,” Steve said.

“He called at like, at 3 in the morning because he was over he was overseas at the time racing,” Kay said. “And we got a call at 3 in the morning. So, then we couldn’t go back to bed because we were so excited!”

In 2022, Josh did not leave with a medal, but placed 10th in the 4-man bobsled in Beijing. But he’s going for the gold again at the 2026 Olympics in Milan.

Throughout the years, he has suffered multiple injuries, including his knee, left hip and rib. But he has remained resilient and is now one of the more senior athletes on the bobsled team, and as his parents say with pride, a household name in his hometown.

“(He’s) kind of one of a kind in this area because there aren’t a lot of athletes in Seminole County that have gone to the Olympics,” Steve said. “So he’s Central Florida’s favorite bobsledder. Yeah, he’s our only bobsledder, but he is a favorite.”

The last time the Williamsons saw their only son was in October.

“We gave him a big hug and said, ‘See you in Italy,'” Steve said.

But they know he’s in the zone, getting ready for qualifiers and then the Olympic stage.

They shared some advice with their son.

“I would say just relax. Enjoy. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy every moment and do your best,” Kay said.

“This is an experience that you’ll never get again. You know. And we’re just so proud of you, and we can’t wait to see you in Italy,” Steve said.

Qualifiers end for the bobsled team on Jan. 18.