The Refreshing Patriotism of Olympian Jasmine Jones
If you’ve grown weary of the media focusing on American athletes running down their own country, Team USA’s Jasmine Jones is a refreshing change of pace.
The 29-year-old Brakewoman on the women’s American bobsled team, Jasmine is also a Senior Airman in the United States Air Force. A multi-sport athlete in high school, she participates in a special program that allows select individuals to athletically compete while simultaneously serving in the military.
“I feel like being able to represent my country, as well as being an athlete for my country, it definitely brings a different meaning and a different caliber,” she said. “I’m honored to have this opportunity to represent both.”
The Senior Airman went on to explain that “Winter Olympians are made in the summer” and that she was super grateful to have been given the opportunity to train under the American flag.
“I did my basic training in my tech school and in the summertime in July, I was released back over to Lake Placid to train,” she explained.
“The biggest thing I learned was being resilient and I feel like that plays a part where you’re waking up early, following orders, you’re getting that discipline needed and that goes into bobsled where we’re essentially waking up early, we’re doing a real blue-collar sport.”
Jasmine is also a single mother and is grateful for the help of her own mother who assists in caring for her young daughter. She recently raised funds to bring them both to Milan.
“Being able to show [my daughter, Jade] different ways you can join the Air Force, you can have these different things as well as being an athlete and it’s just more meaningful to say the least,” reflected Jasmine.
Unlike some of the other Olympians, Jasmine doesn’t have “mixed emotions” about representing America in Italy. She’s not “heartbroken” about recent political decisions or warning about the climate or critiquing the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Many of us grew up watching Olympians who didn’t just love their sport enough to devote their lives to it — but also loved and praised their country, too.
“Being an Olympian isn’t just about winning medals — it’s about representing your nation and inspiring others to chase greatness,” said the legendary track star Carl Lewis. The late Bob Mathias, who won gold at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics, and who went on to serve Georgia in the House of Representatives, summed it up well:
“The Olympic Games are the ultimate test of character, courage, and dedication — representing the United States makes it even more meaningful.”
Americans who enjoy watching the Olympics aren’t tuning in to hear athletes criticize the country. Thankfully, critics are the rare exception — it’s just that the media flocks to them like moths to flames.
We’re grateful for Senior Airman Jasmine Jones’ military service and her patriotism.
