
John Homer Caldwell
American Olympic skier, coach, and author
- Lifespan
- November 28, 1928 – February 27, 2026Nov 28, 1928 – Feb 27, 2026
- Location
- Putney, Vermont, U.S.Putney, VT, U.S.

American Olympic skier, coach, and author
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Key moments and achievements from John Caldwell's life.
John was born
· Putney, Vermont, U.S.
Achievement
John Caldwell represented the United States at the 1952 Winter Olympics, competing in cross-country skiing events and gaining the international experience that would shape his future as America's foremost Nordic skiing coach.
Achievement
John Caldwell represented the United States at the 1952 Winter Olympics, competing in cross-country skiing events and gaining the international experience that would shape his future as America's foremost Nordic skiing coach.
Career
Caldwell served as head coach of five U.S. Olympic cross-country ski teams, leading the program at the 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1984 Winter Olympic Games over a remarkable quarter-century coaching career.
Career
Caldwell served as head coach of five U.S. Olympic cross-country ski teams, leading the program at the 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1984 Winter Olympic Games over a remarkable quarter-century coaching career.
Achievement
Caldwell's 'The Cross-Country Ski Book' was published in eight editions from 1964 to 1987, selling over half a million copies and becoming one of the most widely distributed skiing books in America, popularizing cross-country skiing nationwide.
Achievement
Caldwell's 'The Cross-Country Ski Book' was published in eight editions from 1964 to 1987, selling over half a million copies and becoming one of the most widely distributed skiing books in America, popularizing cross-country skiing nationwide.
Achievement
Among the Putney School students Caldwell coached was Bill Koch, who won a silver medal in the 30km at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics — the first American medal in Olympic cross-country skiing history, a breakthrough for the sport in America.
Achievement
Among the Putney School students Caldwell coached was Bill Koch, who won a silver medal in the 30km at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics — the first American medal in Olympic cross-country skiing history, a breakthrough for the sport in America.
Achievement
Caldwell was inducted into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to Nordic skiing as an Olympic competitor, five-time Olympic coach, bestselling author, and the acknowledged father of cross-country skiing in America.
Achievement
Caldwell was inducted into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to Nordic skiing as an Olympic competitor, five-time Olympic coach, bestselling author, and the acknowledged father of cross-country skiing in America.
John Caldwell passed away