The US bobsled team has its sights on the 2026 Winter Olympics. One member of the women’s team is doing everything she can to prepare, while also defending our nation. Marine Captain Riley Tejcek is a world away from where you might expect to see a winter spectacle of extreme sports–Iraq. Not exactly known for its colder temperatures, Capt. Tejcek is deployed in Baghdad for Operation Inherent Resolve. Her service continues as does preparation for Milano Cortina 2026.
Riley Tejcek Has an Unusual Training Schedule to Prepare for Milano Cortina 2026
During Paris 2024, we got to witness greatness from all over the world, including the U.S. military. In 2026, Riley Tejcek is looking to inspire us once again.
While she is operating in Iraq, Tejcek continues to push herself with Olympic training in the midst of working 15 hours per day.
Getting ready for any sporting event, as well as a life of service, is going to come with major physical demands. Combining the two in less-than-ideal (to put it lightly) conditions, is remarkable.
Capt. Tejeck has expressed her gratitude for being able to serve as a Marine while also training for the Winter Olympics. If successful, she’ll be the first female Devil Dog to compete in an Olympic sport.
As a part of both one- and two-person teams, Tejeck continues to cement her spot as a part of the US women’s bobsled team.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, you really should be watching Cool Runnings as soon as you finish this article.
However, bobsledding is an adrenaline-packed sport where individual racers or teams carry their bobsled, run and push them, and then jump in to ride down narrow ice tracks at mindboggling speeds.
The bobsleds can weigh several hundred pounds, and the pilot must drive them through dangerous turns and corners while going as fast as 90 to 100 mph.
Riley Tejcek rushes down such courses working to hit the best time possible and avoid crashing into walls. Small mistakes can have dangerous consequences.
Multiple Hurdles to Overcome
Making the USA bobsled team, or any team for that matter, is difficult for anyone. This is especially true for those serving in the military.
However, Tejcek is also facing an additional hardship other military branches don’t face—there is no program for Olympians for Sailors or Marines.
Known as the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), both Soldiers and Airmen are allowed to maintain their military careers, but focus on training for the Olympics if they are legitimate participants.
In other words, if you decide one day you’d like to take a chance, WCAP isn’t for you. However, members of the American Armed Forces who are actively training, or those who are seasoned athletes competing in Olympic events, can join WCAP.
That is, of course, if you are in the Army or Air Force. Being a Marine, Tejcek doesn’t have this opportunity, leading to her unorthodox training in Iraq.
Rather than be discouraged, Capt. Tejcek is persevering through her job and her Olympic dreams.
She is hopeful that her efforts will help inspire change within the Navy and USMC. Hopefully, this will help future athletes gain the same opportunities as Soldiers and Airmen.
Riley Tejcek Is Committed to the Challenge
Despite her Olympic dream, Tejcek knew she wanted to defend her nation. When the U.S. needed Marines in Iraq, she volunteered.
During her deployment, Tejcek is going to miss three bobsled competitions in the fall of 2024 alone.
The opportunity to finally deploy was too much for Tejcek, who continues her role as an Operations Officer overseas.
There has been an increase in the need for personnel and firepower in the Middle East following the attack by Hamas on Israel, though her role is focused more on supporting the ongoing fight against ISIS through Operation Inherent Resolve.
A native of Indiana, Tejcek is also nursing complications from a broken foot that has yet to fully heel.
The lack of access to athletic healthcare, because she is not a part of a WCAP, is another issue Tejcek faces as she works to bring home the gold.
Still, Riley believes she is receiving an edge mentally and physically due to her intense workouts in extreme heat, tiring military duties, and the concrete surfaces she must run on at the expense of her injured foot.
Whether or not Riley Tejeck makes the team, or if the USMC adds a WCAP program, remains to be seen.
However, Tejeck’s grit and determination are admirable both as a competitor and as a warrior.
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