FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 26, 2012) -- The Summer Olympics return July 27 and U.S. Army athletes will compete in London to represent their country in the athletic arena, and Fort Rucker icon Sgt. Ted E. Bear isn't being shy when it comes to showing his support.
Sgt. Ted E. Bear is wearing his Olympic best to show his support for the Soldiers competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The Army athletes that will be competing in the Olympics starting tomorrow come from different walks of life, ages and backgrounds, but what they do have in common is their collective drive to represent the USA.
Maj. David Johnson will be taking his place as the U.S. Olympic head rifle coach for the U.S. Olympic Rifle Team. He is no stranger to the Olympics having competed as a rifle team member in 1992, and head rifle coach in 2004 and 2008.
Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski is another seasoned Olympic veteran who will be competing in the free pistol and air pistol events at the 2012 Olympics in London. He has also participated in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics, according to the Army's World Class Athlete Program website.
Sgt. 1st Class Keith Sanderson will return as an Olympic shooter in the rapid fire pistol event. In the 2008 Olympic games he achieved the Olympic record for men's rapid fire pistol.
Sgt. 1st Class Dremiel Byers is also a returning Olympian who competed in 2008. He will be competing as a wrestler in the Greco-Roman style during the London games.
Staff Sgt. Charles Leverette will be attending the Olympics for the first time as an assistant boxing coach for the U.S. Olympic team. He is a former boxer in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program.
Staff Sgt. Joe Guzman will also be a boxing coach for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and will serve as a trainer and corner man. He is also an assistant coach and former boxer in the U.S. Army WCAP.
Staff Sgt. John Nunn will compete in track and field for the race walk event. Nunn is also a returning Olympian who competed in the 2004 games.
Sgt. Spenser Mango returns to the Olympic games as a Greco-Roman wrestler in the 55-kilogram weight class. He also competed in the 2008 games in Beijing.
Spc. Justin Lester is a first-time Olympian also competing as a Greco-Roman wrestler in the 66-kilogram weight class. He is a wrestler in the U.S. Army WCAP and is also a three-time U.S. national champion.
Spc. Dennis Bowsher is another first-time Olympian who will compete in the modern pentathlon. The events he will compete in are fencing, swimming, equestrian, running and shooting.
For more information on Army athletes, visit www.thearmywcap.com.
The 2012 Olympics opening ceremony will take place July 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Related Links:
Team USA loaded with Soldiers for London Olympic Games
World Class Athlete Program mission: Win the Olympics
Marksmanship unit Soldiers ready to continue Olympic tradition
Fort Rucker and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence
U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program on Facebook
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