Eric Neilson: Mormon Athlete

Eric Neilson is a Canadian skeleton athlete, who began competing in 2009. He first tried the sport in 2006 at the age of 25. He made the Canadian World Cup team and recorded numerous top-10 World Cup finishes. He placed seventh in his first World Cup race. He placed fourth in the 2013 World Championships held in St. Moritz and thirteenth in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Neilson was born on January 29, 1981, in Lethbridge, Alberta, and raised in Kelowna, British Columbia. While growing up, he excelled in volleyball, basketball, and rugby, winning Top Male Athlete of the Year in School District 23 in 1999. Competing in the Olympics was a dream he had since childhood.

He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a mail carrier for Canada Post. He plans to finish his college education and become a high school physical education teacher.