Air Force Mom Jasmine Jones Competes in First Olympics

Jasmine Jones is living proof that setbacks don't have to stop you. The 28-year-old Air Force service member is competing in her first Winter Olympics as a bobsled brakeman, just three years after barely missing the 2022 Beijing Games.

Jones had her daughter Jade in 2021, right in the middle of training for Beijing. When she didn't qualify, she made a bold choice: join the Air Force to access better training facilities and finally achieve her dream.

"I wanted to do something that gives me more stability," Jones said. The Air Force's World Class Athlete Program gave her the offseason training time she desperately needed while working a civilian job and raising her daughter alone.

The path to Milan Cortina wasn't smooth. During the 2024-25 season, Jones crashed eight times while competing and training. Five of those crashes happened at a single track.

"Whenever you crash, it takes a toll physically and mentally," she said. "I felt down on myself because I knew I wanted to do so much more." Instead of quitting, Jones used the experience to refine her role as a standout brakeman, the athlete who provides explosive acceleration at the start and pulls the brake after crossing the finish line.

Why This Inspires

Jones wants her daughter to see what perseverance looks like in action. While she competes in Italy, Jade is back in Pennsylvania with her grandmother. "Being able to be a mom and show my daughter exactly how to go through different obstacles and what it means to overcome them" drives Jones forward.

The young athlete hopes Jade learns that you can serve your country, pursue athletic excellence, and overcome setbacks all at once. Jones credits Air Force basic training for teaching her the discipline and resilience that now powers her Olympic journey.

In Milan Cortina, Jones faces Germany's dominant bobsled team, which won 11 of 12 medals at the 2024 World Championships. She's not intimidated. "I consider myself one of the best athletes in the world, and I'm really excited to go out there," she said.

Jones proves that dreams don't expire, they just sometimes need a different route to reach them.