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AssetID: 40177187

Headline: U.S. Army Prepares For The Olympic Year

Caption: PICTURE SHOWS: Spc. Samantha Schultz, a modern pentathlon Soldier-athlete in the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, poses during a photoshoot for Olympic posters at WCAP facilities on Fort Carson, Colo. ... STORY COPY: Soldier-athletes in the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program are gearing up for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo as trials approach. The program already has two Soldiers qualified in modern pentathlon, Spc. Samantha Schultz and Sgt. Amro Elgeziry. Schultz qualified for the women's team after earning second place in the individual event at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. "I remember I was about to cross the finish line, and I got chills and smiled," said Shultz, a five-time national champion. "In my mind I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh, I didn't just win a medal but I qualified for the Olympics, wow I can't believe I just did that.' It was so surreal." Elgeziry also qualified at the Pan American Games by earning a fifth place in the men's individual event. "Going to the Olympics never gets old, it's always exciting," said Elgeziry, who has competed at three Olympic Games. "It was an amazing moment for me. It is always an honor just being in the Army but it is super special to know you represent Team USA and the U.S. Army." Sgt. Ellis Coleman, a wrestling Soldier athlete, said it means a lot to representing the U.S Army at the Olympic trials and potentially the Games. "I am representing all these people who put their lives on the line every day for our country, the least I can do is represent us on the mat and do what I can to represent our Army in the best way possible," said Coleman.

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