Many Individuals have vivid recollections of sitting with their households in entrance of a TV and watching unbelievable athletes showcasing their skills on the Olympic stage. Except for the competitions being the end result of a few years of dedicating their lives to their sport of selection, these women and men are additionally representing their nation with a vibrant highlight on them.
Koby Langley was one of many many youngsters who recollects the inspiration of watching the elite of the elite in motion. As a lot as he admired their greatness again then, he now has a fair deeper appreciation of their dedication to excellence because the Chief Working Officer of america Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Seeing and understanding how each hour of those opponents’ lives is devoted to a single focus and function modified his view on what it means to be among the many greatest on the earth.
“I all the time knew they have been elite athletes, however what actually impressed me was all the opposite sacrifices they must make with a view to change into elite athletes.”
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Who Is Koby Langley? From U.S. Military Officer to USOPC COO
Langley could have by no means educated for the Video games as an athlete, however he undoubtedly understands the significance of representing america. That’s as a result of Langley served in america Military, which began when he signed a ROTC contract at age 17 earlier than going to Notre Dame College, then changing into a JAG as a part of the 82nd Airborne Division earlier than being deployed twice. A type of excursions was throughout the preliminary invasion of Iraq as a part of Operation Shock and Awe in 2003.
By the point Langley ended his navy profession, he earned a Bronze Star for his time in service. When wanting again at his navy service, he shared that being pushed to exit of his consolation zone would serve him nicely in future roles, together with his present one.
“Whenever you work in elements of the navy that actually push you, and I believe the 82nd pushed me by being in fight, you come out with a way of confidence and a perception that you are able to do rather more than what you initially thought you would do.”
After he took off the uniform, Langley started advocating for veterans and households in several methods. He labored to assist an Iraq Conflict veteran get elected to Congress, joined the
Division of Veteran Affairs after that, after which joined the Division of Protection within the Pentagon’s Workplace of Warrior Care and Transition Coverage. This all led to him becoming a member of the Obama administration to run their Veteran and Army Household Constituency crew. Previous to becoming a member of the USOPC, Langley climbed the ranks of the American Crimson Cross, and he was ultimately put accountable for the Northeast division, the place he led a crew of 600 and labored with a nine-figure price range. He credited his time in that position in serving to him put together for his present one.
“All that have finally was what led me to being right here.”
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Colorado Springs Olympic Coaching Middle: Inside One Olympic Plaza
“Right here” is the USOPC Coaching Middle in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the place Langley got here on as COO in November 2025. One Olympic Plaza is a 34-acre campus that serves because the help system for the a whole bunch of athletes that dedicate their lives to mastering their crafts and making ready themselves thoughts, physique, and soul to compete on the most important sports activities stage on the earth.
The USOPC supplies many sources to help these athletes, together with psychological well being, coaching, vitamin, and even stipends in some circumstances. Providers for these athletes can be found for each resident and non-resident individuals. Strolling across the campus and seeing Olympic torches and the place Michael Phelps ready to change into probably the most embellished Olympian in historical past is one thing Langley doesn’t take without any consideration.
“The Olympic torch is personally my favourite. I like the truth that now we have a variety of our Olympic torches right here in Colorado Springs and that we mild that firstly of each Olympics and Paralympics. Wouldn’t miss that for the world.”
2026 Winter Olympics Recap and the Highway to Los Angeles 2028
232 athletes competed for Staff USA on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, the biggest in American historical past. Langley reported that it was probably the most profitable efforts on the winter facet as nicely, highlighted by a nationwide file of 12 gold medals, together with the Males’s and Ladies’s Hockey groups profitable gold.
“Top-of-the-line, undoubtedly,” Langley proclaimed. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a relaxation for the weary as a result of the 2028 Summer time Video games is approaching, and it will likely be hosted on American soil in Los Angeles, California. Many athletes are already coaching to both put together or hopefully qualify to symbolize the purple, white, and blue of their house nation. Langley and his crew are already working to not solely help these athletes however put together the nation for being the host nation for the worldwide stage. As daunting a problem as it’s, Langley has his expertise within the navy and roles in authorities that can serve him nicely. It isn’t the identical as carrying the uniform himself, however being concerned within the Olympics at his stage is one other completely different method he’s serving america.
“The Olympics are a spot for peaceable competitors, and it’s a must to have these areas,” Langley defined. “This really began by bringing in former navy members and veterans and having them compete as a method to proceed their bodily health and reveal the capabilities of their nation.”
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World Class Athlete Program (WCAP): How Troopers Turn out to be Olympians
There isn’t any scarcity of inspiration on Staff USA, and that features people who have additionally served in uniform. Langley cited Katie Verderber, an Military veteran who medically retired in 2019 following a spinal damage she suffered in Afghanistan. Verderber found wheelchair curling in 2024 and located herself on the 2026 U.S. Paralympic crew.
“Watching her compete…grit, humility, dedication, all of these issues that she discovered when she was within the navy. That’s actually what navy members and veteran athletes deliver.”
There are only a few Individuals who know what it’s wish to serve within the navy and even much less that know the sensation of representing Staff USA within the Olympics. That makes somebody who has performed each the elite of the elite, and a few athletes do each thanks largely to the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). The Military and Air Drive have WCAP packages in place to help athletes as they pursue their Olympic goals whereas selling service within the navy via group engagement.
This system is open to Energetic, Reserve, and Nationwide Guard members of each branches, and so they take part in quite a lot of sports activities. Langley spoke extremely of packages like WCAP not solely due to the way it permits athletes to serve in two methods however for the outcomes that may come from it as nicely.
“It has a confirmed observe file since 1948. Over 450 troopers have represented america on the Olympics, and so they have earned a complete of 112 medals. WCAP is an incredible program.”
Why Coaching Like an Olympian Builds Success Past the Gymnasium
Langley is aware of that many children and households have been watching athletes in Italy or plan to look at these competing in Los Angeles and have their very own Olympic goals. In lots of circumstances, they are going to be shot down or doubted for one cause or one other, however Langley is optimistic about these goals and says to pursue them as a result of even when they don’t make it to the Olympic stage, they’ll stage up in methods that may result in larger issues than in the event that they select to not pursue greatness.
“There are such a lot of issues about being or coaching to be an elite athlete that even if you happen to by no means make it to the medal stand, they translate into abilities that can make you an asset for any group that’s in search of individuals to carry out nicely underneath stress. Hold going.”
