Team USA Serves in the U.S. Military
Photo Courtesy of MWRBrandCentral.com
“Being an Olympian is the best way to represent the United States.” —Spc. Paul Chelimo
It’s no surprise that the greatest military in the world also produces some of its greatest athletes and competitors. There have been many American veterans who have represented Team USA in the summer and winter Olympics over the years. In 2016, the 555-member Team USA in Rio included 16 athletes who serve in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force. On the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Team, there are 30 veterans and active duty service members competing in Rio.
Since the Army debuted its World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) in 1997, 55 soldier-athletes have participated in the Olympic Games. The Army’s WCAP received media attention in Rio due to WCAP runners on Team USA who’ve taken advantage of the expedited path to U.S. citizenship that WCAP offers.
It’s too easy to overlook U.S. Olympians who continue to serve our country long after the games have wrapped up. Below is a list of elite athletes who, in addition to serving our country, represented Team USA in the 2016 Rio Olympics. I’ve also included a fantastic infographic put together by Veterans Call that spotlights American military veterans who have won a gold medal in their sport.
- Hillary Bor (track and field, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program)
- Paul Chelimo (track and field, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program)
- Glenn Eller (shooting, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)
- Sean Furey (track and field, U.S. Navy)
- Vincent Hancock (shooting, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)
- David Higgins (shooting, U.S. Air Force)
- Edward King (rowing, U.S. Navy)
- Shadrack Kipchirchir (track and field, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program)
- Leonard Korir (track and field, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program)
- Dan Lowe (shooting, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)
- Michael McPhail (shooting, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)
- John Nunn (track and field, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program)
- Steffen Peters (equestrian, German Army)
- Joshua Richmond (shooting, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)
- Keith Sanderson (shooting, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program)
- Nathan Schrimsher (pentathlon, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program)
- Cale Simmons (track and field, U.S. Air Force)
Memory lane: Gold Medalist Veterans [photo courtesy of veteranscallusa.org]
