Turns out, that may be the 2010 games in Vancouver.

The 38-year-old Hays, one of the most-decorated drivers to compete for the United States, said today that he has ended a brief retirement and is eyeing one more Olympic shot.

"There's still a little ways to go until we make the full commitment," Hays said. "But basically, I guess I'm back."

Hays drove a four-man sled to a silver medal in 2002, ending a 46-year medal drought for American men's bobsledding. He was seventh in the two- and four-man races in Turin, and surprised many by saying his days on the track were done on a frosty night in the Italian Alps.

But administrative changes at the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation — including the hiring of new CEO Darrin Steele, who was on two Olympic teams with Hays — prompted him to reconsider.

"I believe Darrin will give me every chance to win a gold medal and I'm excited about that," Hays said.

His return has been warmly received by the USBSF.

"Todd is a competitor, and it's obviously in his blood to come back out and give it another shot," U.S. bobsled coach Brian Shimer said. "Todd has a lot of experience on all of the tracks, so it won't take him long to get back in the swing of things."

Hays is ineligible to compete on the World Cup circuit this winter, yet will likely be back in 2008-09. He'll spend this season testing and working on his newly designed two- and four-man sleds.

Hays has a new two-man sled that he's comfortable with, and is still tinkering with a four-man model.

"He's looking to do it his own way using his own equipment, and it will be interesting to see how it works out for him," Shimer said.

Hays began telling some confidants months ago that he was considering a return, and made his comeback official by informing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. Olympic Committee in October.

Because he wasn't drug-tested during his brief retirement, he's facing a six-month probationary period before he can race.