embassy events 2009

The U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program

18 May 2009

Some members of the United States Army are often not only excellent soldiers but also the finest athletes at the same time.  The World Class Athlete Program was created to give athletic soldiers a chance to train and represent not only the United States but also the U.S. Army at National, International, and Olympic competitions.  SPC Dennis Bowsher (a WCAP soldier) is staying in Warsaw, Poland this month for a training camp and then heading off to Rome, Italy for a World Cup competition.  “It is good to be in Europe before a competition to get used the time difference,” says Bowsher. “Poland is a beautiful country and a great place for excellent training.”   SPC Bowsher is a soldier in the U.S. Army and an athlete for the sport of Modern Pentathlon.  Modern Pentathlon is an Olympic sport which includes the five unique disciplines of shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian, and running.  A native of Dallas, TX, SPC Bowsher is currently stationed at Ft Carson in Colorado Springs, CO.  He trains at the Olympic Training Center with the U.S. National Team.  He has put together quite a resume: Junior National Champ, U.S. National Champ, and 2008 Olympic alternate.  “I just missed the ’08 team, but that gives me motivation for the next quad,” he says.  Dennis Bowsher now has his sights on the 2012 Olympic Games which will take place in London.