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20th Dec 2021

British Olympic luge athlete AJ Rosen dies aged 37

Daniel Brown

Rosen died on Sunday following a “ferocious battle” with cancer

Great Britain three-time Olympic luge athlete Adam “AJ” Rosen has died at the age of 37 from cancer.

Luge GB announced that Rosen had died on Sunday following a “ferocious battle” with cancer. 

Rosen – who was born in the United States – was described in the statement as one of GB’s “greatest ever” luge Olympians and the “friendliest and most down-to-earth person”. 

He achieved a sixth place finish at the Luge World Cup in Canada in 2009 – his best result for GB in his career. 

As well as this, he finished in 16th at both the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

Rosen qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics, along with Rupert Staudinger, where he finished 22nd.

Former skeleton bobsleigh world champion Shelley Rudman wrote on Twitter: “I’m completely shocked. Such a lovely kind soul. Really really sad to hear this.”

Ex-GB bobsledder John Jackson added: “Saddened to hear the news about AJ Rosen. We were Team GB team-mates in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and did a spot of double luging in our commentary box in 2018. RIP my friend.”

Rosen suffered a dislocated hip and nerve damage during a high-speed crash in 2009. 

However, he was able to return to action and continued to compete before retiring from luge in 2018.

British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Anson stated that the organisation was “deeply saddened” by Rosen’s death.

He added: “AJ was often the sole representative from his sport for Team GB, but his infectious smile and warm personality made him a highly valued member of any Team GB delegation he was a part of.”