AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Olympian Julia Clukey is retiring from the sport of luge because of health concerns and will announce her decision during a news conference Tuesday at the Kennebec Valley YMCA.
Clukey, an Augusta resident and member of the 2010 U.S. Olympic luge team, had been named to USA Luge’s national C luge team in May, helping keep in place her hopes to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, but recent concerns from her doctors about her future health have prompted her decision to retire, according to a news release.
Clukey, who finished 17th in women’s singles at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, has a World Cup silver medal to her credit in February 2013 and missed making the U.S. team for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, by 13 thousandths of a second at the final qualifying event.
More recently, the 31-year-old Clukey earned her degree in engineering technology and electronics from DeVry University earlier this year.
During the past six years, Clukey also has been active in reaching Maine’s youth. Through her work with the Maine Beer & Wine Distributors Association, she has presented to more than 19,000 students at more than 60 schools across the state about the importance of setting goals, overcoming adversity and making good decisions.
She also established Julia Clukey’s Camp for Girls at Camp KV in Readfield, for girls ages 8-11 to develop a healthy lifestyle.