Jasmine Jones: Honored to Represent USA and the Air Force at Winter Olympics

Jasmine Jones, a bobsledder for Team USA, expressed her deep honor in representing both the United States and the Air Force during the Winter Olympics. In a recent interview, she reflected on how there are only a select few who can embody both roles, serving their country in the military and competing at an Olympic level.

“I’m truly grateful to be an Airman,” Jones shared. She joined the Air Force in April 2023. “I think it’s rare for someone to balance both responsibilities, and I’m honored to have this chance to do so,” she added, emphasizing her pride in her dual representation.

During the conversation, Jones recounted her journey into the Air Force, mentioning her close call with qualifying for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Following that, she was fortunate to join the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), a program designed for top-ranking active duty and reserve Air Force and Space Force service members in their respective sports.

As explained on the Air Force WCAP website, “Only the best athletes are selected to train with the elite to be part of the U.S. Olympic Team.” Jones highlighted the importance of resilience in her training, noting how the discipline she learned in the military translates well into her bobsledding experience. “It’s about following orders and maintaining discipline,” she said, illustrating how those lessons have benefited her athletic career.

Her remarks come amid comments from other Team USA athletes, such as freestyle skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess, who expressed mixed feelings about representing the country, particularly in relation to current political issues and the immigration policies of the Trump administration. Lillis mentioned feeling “heartbroken” by recent events, while Hess indicated that his feelings about representing the U.S. are complicated. “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing them,” he stated, suggesting that waving the flag doesn’t necessarily mean endorsing everything happening in the nation.

In contrast, other Team USA athletes, including hockey player Brady Tkachuk, conveyed that “representing the United States at this stage of the Olympics is one of the greatest honors ever.”