U.S. Military Athletes Off to Beijing Olympics to Compete

U.S. Military athletes Go Off to Compete in the Olympics

At least 15 military athletes are currently in Beijing to compete on behalf the United States in this year’s Summer Olympics.

The Olympics started this week and will run for 2 weeks. The events that our military athletes are competing in include Greco Roman wrestling, shooting, fencing, the pentathlon and race walking.

Here’s a list of the athletes and their events:

1. Army Staff Sgt. Dremiel Byers, Greco-Roman wrestling; He will compete on August 14 in the 264.5 pound weight class. In 2002 Byers was world champion in his event.
2. Army Maj. Michael Anti, air rifle; will be competing in his 5th Olympics. He won a silver medal in 2004. His event will be held on August 15th
3. Army Staff Sgt. Keith Sanderson, rapid-fire pistol will be competing on August 16thin the 25 meter rapid fire pistol contest.
4. Army Pfc. Vincent Hancock, skeet; Last year at the age of 18 Pfc. Hancock set a world record in every skeet shooting event. His competition will be on August 16.
5. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker, air rifle; He will compete in the 10 meter air rifle event on August 11 . On August 17 he will compete in the 50 meter three position rifle event.
6. Army Staff Sgt. Daryl Szarenski, free pistol; He will be appearing in his 3rd Olympic Games. His 50 meter free pistol event will be held on August 12.
7. Army Spc. Walton Glenn Eller III, double trap shooting; and
8. Army Spc. Jeffrey Holguin, double trap shooting; will be shotgun teammates in the August 12 double trap event.
9. Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Bret E. Erickson, trap shooting; He will compete on August10th
10. Army Staff Sgt. Elizabeth “Libby” Callahan, pistol shooting; She will be competing in her 4th Olympics. She will compete on August 13 in the women’s sport pistol event.
11. U.S. Military Academy Cadet Stephen Scherer, air rifle; He will compete in the 10 meter air rifle competition on August 11.
12. Air Force Capt. Eli Bremer, modern pentathlon; The modern pentathlon is a one day event made up of 5 events: shooting, fencing, swimming, horseback riding and running. The competition will be held on August 20.
13. Air Force Capt. Seth Kelsey, epee fencing; Captain Kelsey is 5th in the world. His event will be on August 9.
14. Air Force Capt. Kevin Eastler, 20-kilometer race walk; Captain Eastler is America’s preeminent Men’s race walker and the only American to qualify for this event in the 2008 Olympics and
15. Air Force Lt. Col. Dominic Grazioli, trap shooting. He has been on our National Team since 1994.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Admiral Mike Mullen wished them luck saying: “An achievement like this, it’s got to be a peak for them in their career, and certainly we’re very proud of them. I wish them the best of luck, and I know they’ll do well and represent not just our military, but they’ll represent our country well.”