U.S. women’s rugby team makes America proud with bronze medal in tournament Paris 2024 Olympics.
On July 30, the Rugby Sevens team stunned spectators in their bronze medal match against Australia when the team scored the winning goal as time expired.
Sammy Sullivan, 26, put in an outstanding performance and added an extra touch of patriotism to the football field.
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In addition to being an Olympic medalist, Sullivan also served as team captain U.S. Armyleading fans on social media to dub her “Captain America.”
Sammy Sullivan, U.S. No. 4, sprints to score her team’s second goal during the Women’s Group C match against Brazil during the second day of the Olympic Games on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Capt. Sullivan, who began her rugby career at West Point in 2016, is excited about earning a medal at this year’s competition.
“To me, Army is the ultimate team.”
“I played rugby there for four whole years,” she said.
“This is where I first discovered football because I’ve played football my whole life.”
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Sullivan, who currently lives in Chula Vista, California, revealed that she “always gets calls to serve” because her father is a Special Forces Green Beret.
“As someone who has always thrived in a team sport environment, seeing the connection and connection he had with his colleagues at work was really fascinating to me,” she said.
Sullivan’s brother (left) and father (center) both served in the Army. (Sammy Sullivan)
“For me, Army is the ultimate team, so I knew I always wanted to go into Army, which is why I chose War College.”
At West Point, Sullivan was commissioned as an engineer officer and was eventually stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, as a route clearing platoon leader, which she described as “the most fun time of my life.”
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While serving, she continued to drive to Denver three times a week to keep up with football.
“Behind this, I have another dream, which is to compete in the Olympics as a rugby sevens player,” she said.
Sammy Sullivan poses with the U.S. Army football team after their win. (Sammy Sullivan)
When U.S. women’s sevens head coach Emily Bidwell called Sullivan to discuss playing for the team, she applied for the World Class Athlete Program, which allows Army soldiers to compete as Olympians and serve their country Serve.
“Being accepted into the World Class Athlete Program is a huge honor for me,” she said.
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The program allowed Sullivan to compete and train full-time with USA Rugby the past two years, eventually leading her to the Olympics.
The current Olympic bronze medalist said it “felt unreal” to be on the podium with her team and that she was “still at the top of her game”.
Team USA celebrates and poses for a photo after the women’s rugby sevens quarterfinal match between Great Britain and the United States on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“and [I’m] I really miss my teammates,” she added. “I feel like I have separation anxiety from them because we’ve worked so hard for so many years and been with each other every day.
Sullivan’s other teammates, her Army brothers and sisters, also expressed their support. “They were extremely proud of me,” she said.
from field to field
Sullivan talked about how being active in the military translated to her performance on the football field.
“[Rugby is] A combat sport. A lot of adversity happens on the court, but it’s adversity that brings teammates and sisters, that’s what I call them, closer together,” she said.
“That’s exactly what happens in the military.”
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“You go through these adverse situations together, whether it’s conducting field training in sub-zero weather or ultimately deploying and serving our country – not many people on earth can say they did that,” she continued.
“I am extremely proud to be part of a community that serves our country.”
No. 12 Christie Kirsch and No. 5 Alef Kelt hold up No. 4 Sammy of the U.S. Women’s National Team during the women’s Group C match between France and the United States on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. · Sullivan enters the lineout. (Alex Ho/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Sullivan said that through football, she learned a lot about leadership and how to be resilient in difficult situations.
“Rugby taught me a lot about myself, how to deal with stress, and made me a better police officer,” she said.
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Sullivan said her favorite part of international rugby is saluting the American flag during the national anthem before the final.
“This is a way to express my patriotism. — I am extremely proud to represent my country not only as an athlete, but as a U.S. Army Soldier — It brings tears to my eyes every time,” she said.
“How exciting”
According to Olympic data, this year’s Olympics attracted the largest number of female athletes in history, with a 50/50 split between men and women.
US women’s rugby also made history as Emilie Bydwell became the first Female rugby head coaches win Olympic medals.
United States head coach Emily Bidwell watches the women’s rugby sevens medal semifinal match between New Zealand and the United States on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Alex Ho/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“I feel like people are finally starting to see how exciting women’s sports are and how much emotion, how much courage, how much aggression and power goes into it,” Sullivan said.
“It’s okay to be strong, powerful, feminine and beautiful — all of those things can happen at the same time.”
For young girls today, Sullivan said she hopes the U.S. Women’s Rugby Team can show people that “playing like a girl is how you want to play.”
looking for exit
Even Olympians need to blow off some steam, especially when facing high-pressure competition.
“When your whole identity and all your success is wrapped up in your sport, you can start to go down a really dark path, and I think even Olympians can relate to that,” Sullivan said.
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Outside of rugby, she also shares her love of Lego, using it as an outlet to help her away from the sport.
“Lego, for me, helps me not put my whole identity into football,” Sullivan told Fox News Digital.
Sammy Sullivan of the United States reacts with teammates after winning the women’s bronze medal in the rugby sevens match between the United States and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 30, 2024. -12 won the game. (AP Photo/Vadim Gilda)
“I encourage every athlete young, old and new to find something outside of sport that sparks joy in you.”
With the Paris Olympics coming to an end, Sullivan said her goal is the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Team USA No. 4 Sammy Sullivan celebrates the United States’ win in the women’s rugby sevens bronze medal game against Australia on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
In the meantime, the Army captain hopes to give back to the military community and share her story with other service members and recruits who want to “pursue two dreams.”
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“The Army does a great job supporting all of our efforts,” she said. “Any job you can think of, the Army has a way to tie it in.”
“I am extremely proud to be part of a community that serves our country.”
Sullivan added that she hopes people “come out in droves” to watch the football team play all season long because they need “all of America’s support to compete for gold in 2028.”
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“This sport means a lot to me, this team means a lot to me,” she said.
“As long as they keep me, I’m going to keep playing.”
