Woodstock Resident Vies for Spot in the Winter Olympics

After learning to bobsled in 2022, Macy Tarlton, daughter of Barry and Debbie Tarlton of Deer Run, earned a position on the National Women’s USA Bobsled team on Oct. 10. Tarlton competed as a USA Olympic weightlifter from 2018 to 2021, and that background provided the strength needed for a successful transition to bobsled.

In November, after completing training with her teammates at the Olympic Training Facility in Lake Placid, New York, Tarlton began the 2022-23 season with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Cup tour in Canada, which included a tour to Utah, New York and Germany, as well as Australia and Latvia in February. Tarlton, who earned U.S. Top 5 placement in the National Push Championship and USA Bobsled Rookie of the Year in 2022, is competing to earn qualifying points to participate in the next Winter Olympics.

Tarlton attended Shiloh Hills Christian School in Kennesaw and earned a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from American Intercontinental University in Atlanta. When she’s not traveling the world or training in New York, Tarlton’s home base is Woodstock. She coached CrossFit at Cherokee Barbell and CrossFit Garage in Woodstock, as well as swimming at Chattahoochee Gold Swim on Arnold Mill Road.

Most people are amazed to discover that Team USA athletes are not totally government-funded. Although athletes train up to 50 hours each week, they are not paid a salary to compete in the Olympics or other qualifying competitions. Costs covered by the federation vary, depending on the medal history of the athlete and the location of the event. A rookie just starting out, like Tarlton, gets less funding than other teammates who have been to a prior Olympics and earned medals.

The federation paid for Tarlton’s training and room and board at Lake Placid, and part of the transportation expenses, but she bridges the gap and pays for medical insurance, plus all other expenses.

The athletes rely on donations to transport their 12-foot, 500-pound sled around the world, which costs approximately $30,000 per season. To help support Tarlton’s Olympic pursuit, visit https://gofund.me/8f046ebf or http://tee.pub/lic/yfr_X4mxNr0.