Melbardis, part of the Latvian four-man bobsleigh team upgraded to the Olympic gold medal from Sochi 2014 after the Russian crew led by Alexander Zubkov were disqualified for doping, will not compete until the start of the next campaign at the earliest.

The 30-year-old three-time Olympic medallist, the last of which came in the two-man event at this year's Games in Pyeongchang, reportedly has no plans to retire, however.

Oskars Kibermanis and rookie Ralfs Berzins, fourth at the Under-23 World Junior Championships, will pilot the two Latvian bobsleigh teams this winte. 

The post-Olympic campaign is due to begin in Melbardis' home country of Latvia, with Sigulda - due to host sliding sports should Stockholm succeed with its bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games - to stage the first event from December 3 to 9.

Melbardis won World Championships gold medal in 2016 and claimed IBSF World Cup gold in both two-man and four-man bobsleigh, as well as the combined ranking the previous year.