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U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program

| image = File:Wcap_logo.jpg

| caption = World Class Athlete Program

| dates = 1997 – present

| country = {{flag|United States of America}}

| allegiance = United States

| branch = United States Army

| type =

| size =

| command_structure = Department of Defense

Department of the Army

Installation Management Command

Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command

| garrison = Fort Carson, Colorado

| garrison_label = Location

| nickname = WCAP

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| commander1 = Cpt. Robert Cheseret

| commander1_label = Commander

| commander2 = 1st Sgt. Jose Santiago

| commander2_label = First Sergeant

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}}

The U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) is a military unit whose primary mission is to support nationally and internationally ranked soldiers in participating on the U.S. Olympic team. The program is headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado.[http://www.thearmywcap.com/ "U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102034037/http://www.thearmywcap.com/ |date=2 November 2014 }}. thearmywcap.com.

Objectives

According to the U.S. Army, WCAP provides active duty, National Guard and reserve soldiers the opportunity to train and compete at national and international sports competitions with the ultimate goal of selection to the U.S. Olympic team and U.S. Paralympic team, while maintaining a professional military career and promoting the U.S. Army.

Selection

Any soldier-athlete (Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve) may apply for selection provided:

  • Soldier is in good military standing
  • The sport the soldier is applying for is an Olympic sport
  • Soldier has completed Advanced Individual Training (enlisted) or Officer Basic Course (officer)
  • Soldier meets sport specific entry standards, which normally consists of attaining a high national ranking or being selected to a U.S. National Team for international competition[https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r215_1.pdf%20 Army Regulation 215–1 Morale, Welfare, and Recreation] . army.mil[http://www.thearmywcap.com/#!apply/c19rm "WCAP Entry Standards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102034037/http://www.thearmywcap.com/#!apply/c19rm |date=2 November 2014 }}. thearmywcap.com.
  • WCAP is not a developmental program; it targets athletes who have achieved world class status in their sport

Image:wcap6.jpg|Army National Guard Outstanding Athlete Program, 2010 Winter Olympics.

Image:DF-SD-08-05994.JPEG|U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, 2004 Summer Olympics.

Image:Wcap3.JPEG|U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, 2004 Summer Olympics.

Image:Wcap2.jpg|2009 U.S. National Boxing Championships.

Image:WCAPWrestlerUSArmy.jpg|Army World Class Athlete Program, 2010 World Team Trials for USA Wrestling.

Image:WCAPTeelaShooting.jpg|Army World Class Athlete Program Olympic biathlete Jeremy Teela practicing.

Image:Flickr_-_The_U.S._Army_-_Skiing_to_victory.jpg|U.S. Biathlon World Team Trials in Coleraine, Minnesota.

Image:WCAPAthletesSignAutographs.jpg|WCAP athletes sign autographs for fans, 2009 AUSA Conference.

WCAP Olympians

= 2024 =

During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France five soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXXIII Olympiad.{{cite news|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/07/03/10-soldiers-will-compete-for-team-usa-in-the-2024-olympics/|title=10 soldiers will compete for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics|publisher=Army Times|date=3 July 2024|accessdate=19 October 2024}}

A further three individuals partook in the 2024 Paralympic Games:

  • Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Marks, Swimming
  • Sgt. 1st Class John Wayne Joss III, Shooting
  • Staff Sgt. Kevin Nguyen, Shooting

= 2022 =

During the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China five soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXIV Olympiad.{{Cite web |title=Meet the Soldier-athletes competing at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games :: WCAP |url=https://www.armywcap.com/news/meet-soldier-athletes-competing-2022-winter-olympic-games |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=www.armywcap.com}}

= 2020 =

During the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan twelve soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXXII Olympiad.{{Cite web |last=Abreu • • |first=Danielle |title=From Defending Their Country to Representing It: These are the Armed Service Members Competing in Tokyo |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/sports/meet-the-u-s-military-athletes-competing-at-the-tokyo-olympics/2668177/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |date=26 July 2021 |language=en-US}}

=2018=

During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea seven soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXIII Olympiad.[https://taskandpurpose.com/meet-7-soldiers-going-gold-winter-olympics/ Meet the 7 US Soldiers Going For Gold at the Winter Olympics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201532/https://taskandpurpose.com/meet-7-soldiers-going-gold-winter-olympics/ |date=12 February 2018 }}, 'Task & Purpose', 8 February 2018.

=2016=

File:Spc. Paul Chelimo wins silver medal in 5,000 meters at Rio Olympic Games photos by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs (29090417156).jpg

The program sent four Kenyan-born soldier-runners to compete at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.[http://www.militarytimes.com/story/sports/2016/08/02/4-kenyan-born-us-army-runners-represent-their-adopted-country-rio-games/87945968/ 4 Kenyan-born U.S. Army runners represent their adopted country at Rio Games] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821232446/http://www.militarytimes.com/story/sports/2016/08/02/4-kenyan-born-us-army-runners-represent-their-adopted-country-rio-games/87945968/ |date=21 August 2016 }}, Military Times

as well as

=2012=

The program sent seven athletes and four coaches to the London 2012 Summer Olympics.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/11-army-coaches-athletes-headed-to-olympics-to-compete-in-events-like-wrestling-shooting/2012/07/16/gJQAvmJToW_story.html US Army sends off 7 athletes, 4 coaches to London Olympics]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, AP in Washington Post, 16 July 2012

=2010=

File:2004 50 Rifle 3.jpg

During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games three soldier-athletes and one coach represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXI Olympiad.{{cite web |url=http://www.goarmy.com/events/army-athletes/army-olympians.html |title=US Army Olympians |publisher=Goarmy.com |access-date=2012-07-23 |archive-date=9 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109173016/http://www.goarmy.com/events/army-athletes/army-olympians.html |url-status=live }}

:-10k Sprint{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/02/19/34726-teela-sits-out-olympic-20-k-individual-biathlon/index.html |title=Teela sits out Olympic 20k Individual Biathlon |publisher=United States Army |date=19 February 2010 |access-date=2012-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207192236/http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/02/19/34726-teela-sits-out-olympic-20-k-individual-biathlon/index.html |archive-date=7 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}

:-4-man USA Sled II Pilot

:-4-man USA Sled II Brakeman{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/02/24/34899-bobsledding-soldiers-attention-turns-to-olympic-four-man-event/index.html |title=Bobsledding Soldiers attention turns to Olympic four-man event |publisher=United States Army |date=24 February 2010 |access-date=2012-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207192124/http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/02/24/34899-bobsledding-soldiers-attention-turns-to-olympic-four-man-event/index.html |archive-date=7 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}

  • SGT William Tavares (Team USA Bobsled Coach)

=2008=

During the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics two WCAP athletes and one coach represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXIX Olympiad:{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/13337/soldier-olympians-share-tales-with-army-leaders |title=Soldier-Olympians share tales with Army leaders |publisher=United States Army |date=16 October 2008 |access-date=2012-07-23 |archive-date=25 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725134224/http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/10/16/13337-soldier-olympians-share-tales-with-army-leaders/ |url-status=live }}

:-50m Rifle Competition

:-Heavyweight

:-Rapid Fire Pistol competition

  • MAJ David Johnson (Team USA Shooting Coach)

Other notable WCAP alumni

File:Boyd Melson.jpg (right)]]

:-2004 World Military Boxing Championships, gold medal (69-kg. weight class){{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2006-03-09-us-quarterfinals_x.htm |title=Melson wins U.S. boxing quarterfinals |work=USA Today |date=9 March 2006 |access-date=9 August 2011 |archive-date=9 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409170732/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2006-03-09-us-quarterfinals_x.htm |url-status=live }}

  • SSG Jenna Burkert- 2021 World bronze medalist, Olympic Alternate, 4x World Team member.{{cite web | title=Army wrestler wins first World Championship medal | website=DVIDS | url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/409614/army-wrestler-wins-first-world-championship-medal}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Sources

  • {{Cite news|first= Kelly|last=Pearce |title= Army brings elite athlete program to Fort Carson|work=Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph |date= 27 November 1996}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20100627160034/http://www.arng.army.mil/soldierresources/Militarycompetitionoffice/Pages/WCAPselectionstandards.aspx WCAP Selection Standards]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20050212193454/http://www.army.mil/cfsc/documents/wcap/apply.pdf Eligibility and Application Procedures for the Army World Class Athlete Program]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20100828092840/http://www.armymwr.com/sports/default.aspx US Army WCAP Official Website]
  • [http://www.goarmy.com/events/army-athletes/army-olympians.html/ US Army Olympians]
  • [http://www.goarmy.com/content/goarmy/events/army-athletes/army-olympic-news/usamu-shotgun-shooter-hancock-wins-olympic-gold-medal-in-skeet.html/ Seven Soldiers, Alums, Make Team USA for Olympic Winter Games]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • [https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r215_1.pdf Army Regulation 215–1 Morale, Welfare, and Recreation]

External links

  • [http://www.armywcap.com/ Army WCAP official website]
  • [http://www.armymwr.com/ Family and MWR official website]
  • [https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/world-class-athlete-program/soldier-athletes/track-field WCAP Track & Field team roster]
  • [https://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmywcap Army WCAP Official Image Archive]
  • [https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USAWCAP Official Army WCAP Imagery]
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWC13wIb3Jc Army WCAP official video]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20090531084626/http://www.imcom.army.mil/hq/ US Army Installation Management Command]
  • [https://www.teamusa.com United States Olympic Committee]
  • [http://www.olympic.org/ Olympic Games official website]
  • [http://www.london2012.com/ 2012 London Olympic Games official website] {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130228114959/http://www.london2012.com/ |date=28 February 2013 }}

Category:United States Army projects

Category:Military sport in the United States