US Army Bobsledders Racing for Gold in Milan 2026

When Sergeant Frank Del Duca steps onto the ice at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics next month, he'll be carrying a flag for his country twice over.

Del Duca is both an active duty U.S. Army soldier and a bobsled pilot for Team USA. He's one of six military athletes competing in the games through the Army World Class Athlete Program, which gives soldiers the chance to train for elite international competitions while serving.

The program does more than create Olympians. It builds leaders through mentorship and discipline that extends far beyond the track.

"I have Army superiors who have done so much, both in and out of sport and in and out of the Army," Del Duca says. "I have this wealth of knowledge of mentorship that has helped me on and off the ice."

His coach knows the program's power firsthand. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Fogt is a three-time Olympian and silver medalist who credits the Army program with transforming him from good to great.

The training itself demands everything football requires and more. Bobsledders need explosive speed to push a 400-pound sled from a standstill, then the strength and coordination to leap in as it accelerates toward 90 miles per hour.

"You have to be fast, you have to be powerful," Del Duca explains. The fastest recorded bobsled speed hit 97 miles per hour in 2019. If they crash at those speeds, it's like getting hit by a car.

The Ripple Effect

The Army's holistic training approach focuses on sleep, nutrition, and mental readiness alongside physical conditioning. Fogt says these elements made the difference between competing and medaling.

Now as coach, he's passing that integrated training philosophy to the next generation of soldier-athletes. The program creates a cycle where Olympians become mentors, who develop new champions, who eventually guide others.

Del Duca's selection as Flag Bearer shows how far that mentorship can take you. He'll lead Team USA into the opening ceremonies on February 6, representing both his teammates and his fellow soldiers.

These athletes prove excellence doesn't require choosing between passions. You can serve your country while chasing Olympic glory, building strength in both pursuits along the way.