The U.S. women’s rugby team brought home the bronze medal, making the American nation proud. 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the bronze medal match against Australia in the rugby sevens on July 30, the team surprised viewers by scoring a winning conversion goal just before the end of the game.
The talented 26-year-old Sammy Sullivan brought even more patriotism to the rugby field.
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Not only is Sullivan an Olympic medalist, United States ArmyFans on social media have taken to calling her “Captain America.”
Team USA No. 4 Sammie Sullivan celebrates as she runs in to score her team’s second try during the women’s Pool C match against Brazil on day two of the Olympic Games on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Captain Sullivan spoke of his excitement at winning a medal at this year’s competition since beginning his rugby career at West Point in 2016.
“To me, the Army is the ultimate team.”
“I played rugby there for all four years,” she said.
“I’ve played soccer all my life and this is where I first discovered rugby.”
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Sullivan, who now lives in Chula Vista, California, said he “always felt a calling to serve” because his father was a Green Beret.
“Having always thrived in team sports environments, it was really fascinating to see the level of bond and connection he had with people in the workplace,” she said.
Sullivan’s brother (left) and father (center) both served in the Army. (Sammy Sullivan)
“To me, the Army is the ultimate team, so I always wanted to join the Army, and that’s why I chose the U.S. Military Academy.”
Sullivan was commissioned as an engineer officer from West Point and was eventually stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado as a path-clearance platoon leader, which she described as “the most fun time of my life.”
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During her military service, she continued to drive to Denver three times a week to attend rugby games.
“Behind that was another dream, to play in the Olympics as a rugby sevens player,” she said.
Sammy Sullivan pictured with the U.S. Army rugby team after the victory. (Sammy Sullivan)
When Emily Bydwell, head coach of the U.S. women’s sevens team, called Sullivan to discuss playing for the team, she had applied to the World Class Athlete Program, which allows Army soldiers to compete and serve their country as Olympians.
“Being accepted into the World Class Athlete program was a great honor for me,” she said.
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The program allowed Sullivan to compete and train full time with the USA Rugby team for the past two years, ultimately leading to her Olympic qualification.
The Olympic bronze medallist said it “doesn’t seem real” to her that she was on the podium with her team, and that she was “still too excited.”
The USA team celebrates their victory and poses for a photograph after the women’s rugby sevens quarter-final match between Great Britain and the USA in Paris, France, on July 29, 2024. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“and [I’m] “I really miss my teammates,” she added. “We’ve practiced so hard together every day for so many years, so I feel like I’m nervous about being away from them.”
Sullivan’s other teammates and fellow Army members have also been cheering her on. “They’re all really proud of me,” she said.
From field to field
Sullivan spoke about how his time in the Army is reflected in his performance on the rugby field.
“[Rugby is] “It’s a martial art. There’s a lot of adversity that happens on the field, but it’s that adversity that brings you closer as teammates and sisters (as I call them),” she said.
“And that’s exactly what’s happening in the Army.”
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“Going through these adversities together, whether it’s field training in sub-freezing temperatures or ultimately deploying to serve our country, that’s not something that too many people on this planet get to do,” she continued.
“I’m really proud to be part of a community that serves the state.”
No. 12 Christy Kirche and No. 5 Aleph Kelter hold up No. 4 Sammie Sullivan of the U.S. women’s national team during a lineout during the women’s Pool C match between France and the United States on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. (Alex Ho/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Sullivan said rugby has taught him a lot about leadership and the ability to persevere in difficult situations.
“Rugby taught me a lot about myself, how to deal with stress and it has made me a better police officer,” she said.
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Sullivan said his favorite part about playing rugby at the international level is saluting the American flag when the national anthem is played before the final.
“I can express my patriotism in this way. — And I’m proud to represent my country not only as an athlete, but as a soldier in the United States Army. — “It brings me to tears every time,” she said.
“That’s exciting.”
This year’s games will feature more female athletes than ever before, with a 50/50 gender split, according to the Olympic Committee.
US women’s rugby also made history, with Emily Bydwell becoming the first A female rugby head coach wins an Olympic medal.
USA Team Head Coach Emily Bidwell watches the women’s rugby sevens medal semi-final match between New Zealand and the USA on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Alex Ho/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“I feel like people are finally starting to understand how exciting women’s sports is, how much emotion goes into it, how much grit, how much aggression, how much power goes into it,” Sullivan said.
“It’s OK to be strong and powerful and feminine and beautiful, and it’s OK to be all of those things at the same time.”
Sullivan said she hopes the U.S. women’s rugby team shows young girls today that “playing like a girl is the way you want to play.”
Finding an exit
Even Olympic athletes need to relieve stress, especially when competing in high-pressure competitions.
“When your whole identity and success is based on a sport, it can really start to take you down a dark path. I think even Olympians feel that,” Sullivan said.
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Outside of rugby, he has shared his love of building things with LEGO as a way to express himself and get away from sport.
“Lego for me has helped me to not put my whole identity into rugby,” Sullivan told Fox News Digital.
USA player Sammy Sullivan reacts as she joins her teammates after the USA and Australia won the bronze medal match in the women’s rugby sevens at the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 30, 2024. USA won the match 14-12. (AP Photo/Vadim Gilda)
“I would encourage all athletes, young athletes, older athletes and new athletes to find something outside of sports that brings them joy.”
With the Paris Olympics drawing to a close, Sullivan said he has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
USA Rugby Sevens player Sammy Sullivan, number 4, celebrates her victory during the women’s rugby sevens bronze medal match between Team USA and Team Australia on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
In the meantime, the Army captain wants to give back to the military community and share his story with other soldiers and recruits looking to “pursue both dreams.”
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“The Army is extremely supportive of all our endeavors,” she said. “Any job you can think of, there’s a way the Army can connect with it.”
“I’m really proud to be part of a community that serves the state.”
Sullivan added that he hopes to have “great crowds” coming out to watch the rugby team play throughout the season, as the team will need “all-American support” to win gold in 2028.
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“This sport means a lot to me and this team means a lot to me,” she said.
“As long as they accept me, I’ll keep playing.”
