From TikTok to Bobsled: Olympian Desi Johnson’s Viral Rise & Injury Comeback

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Desi Johnson, the 24-year-old Australian bobsledder, is rapidly becoming a social media phenomenon as she competes in the 2026 Winter Olympics. While relatively unknown in traditional celebrity circles, Johnson boasts a combined social media following comparable to Australian icon Russell Crowe, with 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok.

Johnson’s journey to the Olympics is unconventional, evolving from a promising track and field career derailed by a series of injuries to a viral social media presence that ultimately funded her pursuit of bobsled. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without social media,” Johnson stated, acknowledging the pivotal role her online platforms played in enabling her athletic ambitions.

Initially a sprinter and heptathlete, Johnson’s athletic path was interrupted by multiple foot surgeries and a fracture in her lower back (L4), making a return to heptathlon unsustainable. During COVID-19 lockdowns, she began documenting her training and recovery online. “I started off doing home workouts… during lockdown and people started to catch on to it. The videos went viral and then after lockdown, I started showing everybody my journey, my injuries, me trying to get back to sprinting.” This documentation resonated with a growing audience, initially on TikTok and quickly expanded to Instagram.

Her following surged as she transitioned to bobsled in 2023, a sport she admitted to knowing little about beforehand. “I honestly had no idea what the sport really was. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into at all. I’d never touched the snow, I hadn’t been to Europe.” The shift proved transformative, propelling her social media presence to new heights. “And then when I started blogging my bobsleigh journey as well, people just went crazy.”

Johnson’s ability to monetize her online following has allowed her to self-fund her bobsled career, a significant undertaking given the sport’s financial demands. A single bobsled can cost around $60,000. “We are completely self-funded, like we fund ourselves overseas for months in Europe,” Johnson explained.

Partnering with Breeana Walker, Johnson represents an unlikely Olympic pairing. Both athletes have backgrounds outside of traditional bobsledding pathways. Walker is a veteran of the Stawell Gift, a renowned Australian footrace, having competed in the final four times. Their story echoes that of the famed Jamaican bobsled team, a testament to the power of determination and unconventional routes to Olympic competition.

While expectations for a medal may be modest – Germany and the United States are historically dominant in bobsled due to substantial investment in sled technology – Johnson’s presence has undoubtedly brought increased attention to the sport. The inherent risks of bobsled, with speeds reaching up to 130 km/h, are balanced by Johnson’s experience with injury recovery. “I’ve been feeling pretty healthy doing this sport and sort of safer,” she said.

Johnson’s story is a reflection of the evolving landscape of fame and athletic funding. Her success demonstrates the potential for athletes to leverage social media not only to build a following but also to secure the financial resources necessary to pursue their Olympic dreams. Her journey, from injury-plagued athlete to Olympic competitor and social media star, is a compelling narrative that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

The Winter Olympic Games are being broadcast on the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.