He won a silver medal in the Soling class with Walter Glasgow and Richard Hoepfner at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

John's first boat was a Sunfish and he grew up sailing at the Houston Yacht Club through the Ragnot program.

In 2023, he was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame Kolius was born in Houston, Texas.

When the America's Cup shifted to IACC yachts for the 1992 Cup, Kolius sailed as part of the Italian team, Il Moro di Venezia, with Raul Gardini and Paul Cayard, in which he placed 3rd at the IACC Worlds in 1991.

Significant Sailing Accomplishments Kolius learned his sailmaking skills working for Buddy Melges.