Military Athletes Shine at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Eight U.S. military athletes are representing the United States in the 2026 Winter Olympics, including members from the Army and Air Force.

Kelly Curtis, an Air Force Staff Sgt. and Springfield College alum, is competing in skeleton and is ranked 16th in the world.

Army Sgt. Frank Del Duca served as one of the U.S. flagbearers during the opening ceremony and is competing in bobsled events.

The athletes participate in the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which provides resources and support for military personnel to pursue their athletic dreams.

Several athletes have strong athletic backgrounds, with family members who have also competed in the Olympics or played college sports.

Kelly Curtis (Air Force Staff Sgt.): A skeleton athlete stationed at Aviano Air Base in Italy, Curtis is the top-ranked U.S. athlete in her sport. She returned to the Olympics after taking time off following the birth of her daughter. Read more about Kelly Curtis' journey?ref=yanuki.com

Frank Del Duca (Army Sgt.): A bobsledder who was also a flagbearer for the U.S. team. Learn more about Frank Del Duca?ref=yanuki.com

Azaria Hill (Army Spc.): Following in her family's footsteps, Hill competes in bobsled, with her mother and father being Olympic medalists in track and field and boxing, respectively.

Sean Doherty (Army Spc.): A biathlete competing in his fourth Olympics.

Spencer Howe (Army Pvt.): A figure skater who joined the WCAP after recovering from an injury.

Ben Loomis (Army Sgt.): Participating in Nordic combined for his third Olympics.

Deedra Irwin (Army Staff Sgt.): The top female athlete on the U.S. Biathlon Team.

Jasmine Jones (Air Force Senior Airman): A bobsledder and first-time Olympian who recently won gold at the St. Moritz World Cup.

Q: What is the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP)?

Q: How many U.S. military athletes are competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Q: Which sports are the military athletes competing in?

The U.S. military has a strong presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with athletes competing in a variety of sports.

The World Class Athlete Program plays a crucial role in supporting these athletes.

These athletes demonstrate dedication, discipline, and excellence in both their military service and athletic pursuits.