U.S. Biathlon Visits Goldman Sachs’ Veterans Network

Goldman Sachs, global investment bank and financial services firm, boasts a Veterans Network that is committed to ensuring that all veterans thrive at Goldman Sachs, and contribute to moving the firm, communities and industry forward. The members of the Veterans Network and its allies at Goldman Sachs are trained leaders who are goal-oriented, resilient, adaptable, and have a strong work ethic. Learn more HERE.

Just as biathlon found its beginnings with military training among Norwegian ski troops, so too did the military provide the introduction of biathlon in the United States, tracing its roots to the establishment of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, Colorado in 1943. To learn more about the history of biathlon in the United States, click HERE. Fast forward to the 1970s, the Vermont Army National Guard (VTARNG), based in Jericho, VT played a major role in renewing military support for biathlon in the U.S. and has been a close partner of U.S. Biathlon ever since. VTARNG is currently home to one of the top biathlon clubs, with athletes on U.S. Biathlon’s Senior National Team and National Development Group. 

2022 Olympian Deedra Irwin and 3x Olympian Sean Doherty are both current members of the U.S. Biathlon National Team and Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), a program providing support to elite athletes, namely Olympians or those projected to be an Olympian, who are also currently serving in the military. 

Irwin and Doherty were joined by WCAP coach for biathlon and Nordic combined and active duty soldier Drew Gelinas and U.S. Biathlon President & CEO Jack Gierhart for a panel discussion with Goldman Sachs’ Veterans Network. Attendees heard about the sport of biathlon, the athletes’ experiences with the Vermont Army National Guard and WCAP, 2034 Salt Lake City Olympic and Paralympic Games, U.S. Biathlon Association’s relocation to Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah and more. Following the panel discussion, Irwin and Doherty taught attendees  how to shoot using laser rifles!    

Thank you to Goldman Sachs and the Veterans Network for the invitation and for taking the time to learn about biathlon and give the sport a shot!