Koby Langley Speaks On Significance Of U.S. Olympic And Paralympic Committee

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. Apart from the competitions being the end result of a few years of dedicating their lives to their sport of alternative, these women and men are additionally representing their nation with a brilliant highlight on them.

Koby Langley was one of many many youngsters who remembers 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 the USA Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Seeing and understanding how each hour of those rivals’ lives is devoted to a single focus and function modified his view on what it means to be among the many finest on the earth.

“I all the time knew they have been elite athletes, however what actually impressed me was all the opposite sacrifices they need to make to be able to turn into elite athletes.”

Who Is Koby Langley? From U.S. Military Officer to USOPC COO

Langley might have by no means skilled for the Video games as an athlete, however he undoubtedly understands the significance of representing the USA. That’s as a result of Langley served in the USA Military, which began when he signed a ROTC contract at age 17 earlier than going to Notre Dame College, then turning into a JAG as a part of the 82nd Airborne Division earlier than being deployed twice. A type of excursions was through the preliminary invasion of Iraq as a part of Operation Shock and Awe in 2003.

By the point Langley ended his army profession, he earned a Bronze Star for his time in service. When wanting again at his army service, he shared that being pushed to exit of his consolation zone would serve him effectively in future roles, together with his present one.

“If you work in components of the army that basically 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 might do.”

After he took off the uniform, Langley started advocating for veterans and households in several methods. He labored to assist an Iraq Struggle 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 Navy Household Constituency staff. Previous to becoming a member of the USOPC, Langley climbed the ranks of the American Purple Cross, and he was ultimately put in control of the Northeast division, the place he led a staff of 600 and labored with a nine-figure funds. He credited his time in that function in serving to him put together for his present one.

“All that have finally was what led me to being right here.”

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. Companies 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 turn into probably the most embellished Olympian in historical past is one thing Langley doesn’t take as a right.

“The Olympic torch is personally my favourite. I like the truth that we’ve quite a lot of our Olympic torches right here in Colorado Springs and that we gentle that originally of each Olympics and Paralympics. Wouldn’t miss that for the world.”

2026 Winter Olympics Recap and the Street to Los Angeles 2028

232 athletes competed for Group USA on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, the most important in American historical past. Langley reported that it was probably the most profitable efforts on the winter facet as effectively, 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, unquestionably,” Langley proclaimed. Nevertheless, there isn’t a relaxation for the weary as a result of the 2028 Summer season Video games is approaching, and will probably be hosted on American soil in Los Angeles, California. Many athletes are already coaching to both put together or hopefully qualify to signify the purple, white, and blue of their house nation. Langley and his staff 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 army and roles in authorities that can serve him effectively. It isn’t the identical as sporting the uniform himself, however being concerned within the Olympics at his stage is one other completely different approach he’s serving the USA.

“The Olympics are a spot for peaceable competitors, and it’s a must to have these areas,” Langley defined. “This truly began by bringing in former army members and veterans and having them compete as a method to proceed their bodily health and exhibit the capabilities of their nation.”

World Class Athlete Program (WCAP): How Troopers Change into Olympians

There isn’t any scarcity of inspiration on Group USA, and that features those 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 staff.

“Watching her compete…grit, humility, willpower, all of these issues that she realized when she was within the army. That’s actually what army members and veteran athletes deliver.”

There are only a few Individuals who know what it’s wish to serve within the army and even much less that know the sensation of representing Group USA within the Olympics. That makes somebody who has achieved 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 Pressure have WCAP applications in place to help athletes as they pursue their Olympic goals whereas selling service within the army by group engagement.

This system is open to Energetic, Reserve, and Nationwide Guard members of each branches, and so they take part in a wide range of sports activities. Langley spoke extremely of applications 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 effectively.

“It has a confirmed observe file since 1948. Over 450 troopers have represented the USA on the Olympics, and so they have earned a complete of 112 medals. WCAP is a tremendous 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 motive 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 are going to stage up in methods that may result in higher 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 in the event you by no means make it to the medal stand, they translate into expertise that can make you an asset for any group that’s on the lookout for folks to carry out effectively underneath stress. Hold going.”

To study extra concerning the USOPC, go to their web site.

You may observe Langley on LinkedIn.

M&F Navy Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this Match to Serve article.