Our brave servicemen and women fight for our country, protect our freedoms, and combat threats domestic and abroad. A select few decide to take their dedication to our country a step farther, and compete in the Olympic Games. In the next coming week, athletes from around the world will gather in Paris, France for the Summer Olympics. This year, the Army proudly has seven top athletes representing the U.S. Armed Forces as part of Team USA. Later in August, three more U.S. Army 2024 Olympic athletes will compete in the Paralympics for a chance to earn medals for their country. Let’s meet the remarkable military men and women who will be competing for the gold.
Meet the Service Members Representing Their Country As 2024 Olympic Athletes
The trials to join Team USA ended on June 30th, and the Army dominated the roster for U.S. service members competing this year. The Soldiers will be competing in a number of events including: rugby, shooting, track and field, swimming, and wrestling.
Joining the coach lineup this year are two additional Army Soldiers who will be coaching athletes in the pentathlon and wrestling events. Below, we’re taking a closer look at the active duty, 2024 Olympic athletes that are proudly representing their country.
Staff Sgt. Rachel Tozier
Rachel Tozier is representing the U.S. in the shooting event. She will be competing in Olympic trap.
Tozier was born in Liberty, Missouri and grew up in Pattonsburg, Missouri. Before deciding to join the Army, she graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a bachelors in finance.
She joined the Army in 2017, and completed basic training at Fort Jackson. After she completed the 42A Advanced Individual Training, she was assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit’s shotgun team.
Over the years, she has won numerous Amateur Trapshooting Association awards, and military awards including: Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
Sgt. Sagen Maddalena
Sagen Maddalena will also be representing the U.S. in the shooting event, specifically the 50m Smallbore and 10m Air Rifle events.
Maddalena grew up in Groveland, California. She attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management. In 2019, she enlisted on active duty and was assigned to the USAMU International Team as a shooter and instructor.
Before joining the Army, Maddalena was an 8-time All American with the UAF rifle team. She also was a World Championship team member, and earned the title of Distinguished Rifleman.
Staff Sgt. Will Hinton
Will Hinton is one of the 2024 Olympic athletes representing the U.S. Army in the shooting event, specifically the Olympic trap event.
Hinton was born in Lawrenceville, GA. Growing up, he was an avid sporting clay sharp shooter, winning in both national and international events. He has shot for the professional Sporting Clays Association, and made two NSCA World Championship teams.
Hinton always had an interest in competing in the Olympics. In fact, he was a new college student at the time when he discovered the Army Marksmanship Unit. He decided to put college on hold, and joined the Army in 2016, where he was assigned to the USAMU in the shotgun sector.
He has become a well-known name in the international trap discipline. Additionally, he has made USA shooting finals and world-level teams.
Sgt. Ivan Roe
Ivan Roe is representing the Army in the shooting event, specifically in the 50m Smallbore and 10m Air Rifle events.
Roe was born in Bozeman, MT. He graduated from Murray State University with a degree in Aquatic Biology/Fisheries and with a minor in Environmental Engineering.
He enlisted on active duty in 2019, and was assigned to the USAMU International team as a shooter and instructor. Before joining the Army, Roe has earned three medals in international competition and was a seven time NCAA All-American with Murray State.
Staff Sgt. Leonard E. Korir
Leonard E. Korir is representing the U.S. Army in the track and field event. Korir is a motor transport operator and a distance runner in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program. He specializes in the 5,000 meters.
Korir attended Iona College in New York, where he became a two-time NCAA champion in the 10,000 and 5,000 meters on the track. Korir joined the Army in 2015 and entered WCAP in January of 2016.
CPT Samantha K. Sullivan
Samantha K. Sullivan is representing the U.S. in the women’s rugby events as one of the Olympics 2024 athletes. Sullivan grew up playing soccer, and had a dream of one day playing at West Point. However, her dreams were shot down by the West Point coach, so she instead decided to try out for the rugby team.
Sullivan grew up in a military household, admiring the service of her father. She joined the Army in May of 2020 and the United States Military Academy at West Point.
During her time in college, Sullivan became a three-time All-American, and also won the 2019 Prusmack Award for the top female collegiate rugby player.
Spc. Kamal Bey
Kamal Bey is representing the Army in the Greco-Roman Wrestling event. He started wrestling when he was 3 years old, after his father signed him up for a local kids club. After graduating from Pine Creek high school in Colorado, Bey enlisted in the Army in May of 2021.
Bey has been wrestling his entire life, stating that wrestling makes him feel fulfilled, and that he also loves being pushed mentally and physically.
Sgt. 1st Class Spenser Mango
Spenser Mango is representing the U.S. not as one of the 2024 Olympic athletes, but rather as a Greco-Roman wrestling coach. Mango fell in love with wrestling in high school, after participating in a weight class. He went on to win high school state his third year.
He continued wrestling while at the US Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University. Here, he earned his degree in physical education.
After graduating from college, he joined the Army. Since that time, he has gone on to make four world teams and an Olympic team. He officially retired in 2016, and will be coaching team USA wrestling during the 2024 Olympic games.
Master Sgt. Dennis Bowsher
Dennis Bowsher is representing the Army as a Modern Pentathlon coach. Bowsher was an avid swimmer growing up, and learned about the modern pentathlon sport as a young adult. As a three-time all-state swimmer, Bowsher qualified automatically for one of the five events.
He worked with expert coaches to master fencing, equestrian, shooting, and running. He became the two-time Junior National Champion in 2003/2004, and was the 2005 U.S. National Champion before he left for basic training.
Now, Bowsher joins Team USA as a coach for the modern pentathlon event.
FAQs
When will the 2024 Olympic Games start and end?
The 33rd Summer Olympic Games will take place from Friday, July 26th, until Sunday, August 11th.
Where will the Olympics be held?
The 2024 Olympics will take place in Paris. Events will be held across Metropolitan France.
When is the Paris Olympics opening ceremony?
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony is a time-honored tradition. This year, the ceremony will take place on Friday, July 26.
Be sure to start watching the Olympics earlier that day as events such as archery, football, rugby sevens, and handball all take place before then.
Where can I watch the events live?
Luckily, there are several ways that you can watch the Olympics. Eurosport is the main broadcaster of the Olympics this year.
However, the BBC will still be covering the games. You can stream the Olympics online, and can catch up with the 2024 Olympics athletes on Hulu. If you have cable, you can find the games streaming across select channels.
Watch These Soldiers Compete With Other 2024 Olympic Athletes In Paris
Soon, the 2024 Olympic games will be underway in Paris. This is the third time that Paris will be hosting the games. This remarkable lineup of active-duty military represents more than just individual achievement. It represents a commitment to our nation, and showcases the pride that our military has for their country.
Their achievements are a testament to their grit and determination. These are values likely instilled in them from their military service. These athletes collectively represent some of the best our military has to offer in terms of athleticism and intelligence. Their achievements, and stories of resilience, serve as inspiration. They show us that anything is possible with hard work. Be sure to tune into the 2024 Summer Olympics to watch these top 2024 Olympic athletes compete.
Sources:
“2024 Summer Olympics,” GovX blog. Accessed July 2024. https://blog.govx.com/2024-summer-olympics-meet-the-soldiers-competing-for-team-usa/
“Paris Olympics opening ceremony 2024: When it starts and how to watch,” The Telegraph. Accessed July 2024. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/0/paris-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-time-date-watch/
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