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American Olympic bobsled member Jasmine Jones is competing in her first Olympic Games in Milan Cortina.
As an Air Force service member and mother of a 5-year-old boy, the pride of representing the U.S. has taken her game “to a different caliber.”
Kaysha Love and Jasmine Jones of the United States compete during the two-woman bobsleigh Heat 2 at the 2025 IBSF World Championships at Mt Van Hoevenberg on March 14, 2025, in Lake Placid, New York (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“I feel like being able to represent my country, in addition to being an athlete for my country, definitely brings a different meaning and a different caliber. I feel like there are very few people who do both at the same time, and I feel honored to have this opportunity to represent both. I’m grateful to be an Airman and represent my country in that regard,” Jones told Pak Gazette Digital.
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“It definitely brings it together and brings a different meaning and how much more I have to give.”
Jones nearly missed qualifying for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. He then joined the Air Force in April 2023, allowing him to undergo a much more rigorous training routine, which he credits with his ability to qualify for this year’s games.
“I’m just grateful to be an airman,” he said. “Getting into the WCAP program, that allowed me to really have my offseason training, allowed me to get to this point…Having that offseason training to be able to really focus and work. That happened right now.”
Jones gave birth to her daughter in 2021 and was looking for stability as a means to achieve her goal of reaching the Olympics. The Air Force gave him that path.
BOBSLED ISRAELI CAPTAIN OPENS UP TO THE TEAM THAT OVERCOMED THEFT AND VANDALISM TO MAKE HISTORY AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS
Olympian Jasmine Jones of the United States poses for a photo on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Milan 2026 Olympic Winter Games. (IOC via Getty Images)
“I wanted to do something that would give me more stability. There was a time when I was working my civilian job and trying to train at the same time, and it just wasn’t enough. I know I wanted to dedicate my time to bobsledding,” Jones said.
“The most important thing I’ve learned is to be resilient, and I feel like that plays a big role, when you go to the basics and get up early. You follow orders. You get the discipline you need and that applies to bobsledding… So, I feel like transitioning from basic training and having that discipline also translates to knowing exactly what I’m supposed to do.”
Jones’ appreciation for representing the United States comes at a time when other American Olympians are openly criticizing their country in Italy. Team USA athletes Hunter Hess, Amber Glenn and Mikaela Shiffrin have made statements criticizing the state of the USA while competing in Italy.
But Jones now joins ice hockey player Brady Tkachuk in openly praising the United States and expressing honor and gratitude for representing the country in Milan Cortina.
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Jones said he hasn’t checked social media lately, so he’s not aware of any criticism of his country from his U.S. teammates.
Team USA fans can send Jones and fellow aviator Kelly Curtis, who also competes in Italy, a personalized letter through a program involving a partnership between Team USA and Sadboxx.
