Olympic Bronze Medalist Sammy Sullivan Balances Duty And Rugby Glory
· Yahoo Sports
(I interviewed Sammy Sullivan on March 18th, 2026. Her quotes are taken from the transcript of that interview.)
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 28: Sammy Sullivan #4 of Team United States celebrates as she runs in to score her team's second try during the Women’s Pool C match between Team United States and Team Brazil on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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Getty ImagesFor US Army Captain and Team USA Rugby Wing Sammy Sullivan, the 2024 Olympic Games was that moment when belief, forged through military discipline and competition, collided with opportunity. Her team would come from behind in the final seconds of their match against a very good Australian team to claim the first medal ever for the US Women's Olympic Rugby.
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 31: Team United States Women's Rugby Seven's athletes pose for a photo with their bronze medals at Champions Park on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 31, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesTo understand how Sullivan helped power Team USA to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games, you go far from the Stade de France—back to her childhood; One best defined by service, moving and adapting (and moving again).
Built In Motion
Sullivan’s story begins as the daughter of a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, Michael Sullivan—a Green Beret. Her childhood wasn’t rooted in one place but shaped by many.
397403 01: US special forces soldiers ride on horseback as they work with members of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in this photo released November 16, 2001. (Photo by US Department of Defense/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesFrom Alaska to North Carolina, with early years spent overseas in Germany and formative time in Hawaii, Sullivan learned early what it meant to adapt. Constant relocation could have been destabilizing. Instead, it became her foundation. “I would say I took a lot of social skills from being a military kid,” Sullivan said. “Just having to constantly make new friends… and then say, ‘Hey, see you later.’”
That transient upbringing, she explains, sharpened her ability to connect quickly—an underrated skill that would later define her leadership style both on the rugby pitch and in uniform. Her parents framed every move not as a disruption, but as an opportunity. Weekends in Hawaii meant hiking, cultural immersion, and exploration. The lesson was simple: wherever you are, be fully there.
It’s a mindset that still defines her.
Choosing The Hard Path
TOPSHOT - West Point cadets parade ahead of former US President Barack Obama receiving the 2024 Sylvanus Thayer Award from the US Military Academy is at West Point, New York, on September 19, 2024. (Photo by KENA BETANCUR / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesSullivan didn’t grow up dreaming of the United States Military Academy. In fact, she didn’t seriously consider it until her junior year of high school. But once she did, the appeal was immediate. “I fell in love with the idea of being at an elite academy,” she said. “A place where it was going to be hard work to do well.” That challenge—rather than comfort—pulled her in. She was accepted alongside her twin brother Jackson in what was a shared journey that would become a source of strength during the academy’s most demanding moments.
WEST POINT, NY - JUNE 27: A new cadet receives instructions from an older cadet during Reception Day at the United States Military Academy at West Point, June 27, 2016 in West Point, New York. Reception Day is the day when new cadets report to West Point to begin the process of becoming West Point cadets and future U.S. Army officers. Upwards of 1,300 cadet candidates for the class of 2020 will report to West Point on Monday. The new cadets will begin six weeks of basic training before Acceptance Day in early August. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThose moments came early. West Point’s infamous first summer—Cadet Basic Training, known as “Beast” is designed to strip away ego and rebuild identity. It is equal parts physical endurance test and psychological crucible. “You’re learning how to ruck march over 10 miles with 40 pounds on your back… how to shoot a weapon… and really how to be a follower,” Sullivan said. For many, it’s overwhelming. For Sullivan, it was transformative. “You need to learn how to follow before you can learn how to properly lead,” Sammy would say.
WEST POINT, NY - JUNE 13: West Point graduating cadets celebrate at the end of their commencement ceremonies at Plain Parade Field at the United States Military Academy on June 13, 2020 in West Point, New York. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the graduating class of 1,107 cadets during a socially-distanced ceremony held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by John Minchillo-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesBy the time her class graduated in 2020, roughly 200 of the original 1,100 Cadets had dropped away. Sullivan stayed—and thrived.
A Chance Encounter
Ironically, the sport that would take Sullivan to the Olympics wasn’t part of her original plan. She arrived at West Point intent on playing soccer. When that opportunity didn’t materialize, she pivoted—tentatively at first—to rugby. It didn’t take long for everything to change.
Officer cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point and their marching band display a Go Army sign during their annual NCAA college football game against the Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis on 6 December 1997 at the Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. Navy won the game 39 7. (Photo by David Seelig/Allsport/Getty Images)
Getty Images“It was pretty much love at first tackle,” she said.
Within just a few matches, Sullivan was thrust into a starting role against powerhouse collegiate competition. It was trial by fire—but exactly the kind of test she embraced. “That was definitely a trial-by-fire type game,” she said. “But it built resilience early on.” That resilience would become a through line in her career—from collegiate rugby to the international stage.
Serving Two Masters
Sammy Sullivan (3R), member of Team USA Rugby and a captain in the US Army, salutes US President Joe Biden during an event celebrating the 2024 US Olympic and Paralympic teams on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, September 30, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesAfter graduating, Sullivan was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, eventually earning the rank of captain. She served as an engineer officer, leading soldiers at Fort Carson—an experience she describes with deep affection. “It’s really a toss-up between who I love more, my rugby team or my platoon,” she said. “The Army is a bond like no other.”
Her dual identity—as both soldier and athlete—was made possible through the Army’s World Class Athlete Program, which allows elite competitors to train for the Olympics while fulfilling their service commitments. For Sullivan, the overlap isn’t a burden—it’s a privilege. “I love representing not only Team USA, but the U.S. Army every time I put on a USA Rugby uniform,” she said. Few athletes experience the Olympic podium the way she does. When the national anthem plays, Sullivan salutes—standing beside teammates with hands over their hearts. “It’s just a very special moment… to show my pride for being an officer in the Army.”
Paris 2024: It All Came Together
The defining chapter of Sullivan’s career so far has been the Paris 2024 Olympics. Team USA’s run to bronze was marked by grit, belief, and one unforgettable finish against Australia. Trailing late, the match appeared all but decided—until teammate Alex Sedrick broke free. “I think I knew she was gone as soon as that stiff arm connected,” Sullivan recalled. “As soon as she broke that first couple meters.”
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 30: Alex Sedrick #8 of Team United States scores her team's second and winning try during the Women's Rugby Sevens Bronze medal match between Team United States and Team Australia on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesWhat followed was one of the most electrifying moments of the tournament: Sedrick sprinting the length of the field to score. But the game still hung in the balance. With primary kickers off the field, Sedrick--who had taken only a handful of kicks all season--lined up the conversion. “That was the scarier part,” Sullivan admitted. “Who’s going to take the conversion?”
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 30: Alex Sedrick #8 of Team United States celebrates with Naya Tapper #7 of Team United States after scoring her team's second and winning try during the Women's Rugby Sevens Bronze medal match between Team United States and Team Australia on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesSedrick delivered. “When she slotted it through the uprights… that’s when I knew we were going to win.” The victory secured a bronze medal—and etched the moment into US Olympic lore. For Sullivan, though, the most meaningful part wasn’t the scoreboard; It was in the stands. “My mom and dad were there,” she said. “I literally thought… I’m living in a P&G commercial right now. To make them that proud,” she said, “that’s something I’ll always take pride in.”
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 30: Sammy Sullivan #4 of Team United States celebrates following victory during the Women's Rugby Sevens Bronze medal match between Team United States and Team Australia on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe “Hard As Nails” Campaign
Beyond competition, Sullivan is also part of a broader evolution in women’s sports. Through initiatives like the HSBC Sevens “Hard as Nails” campaign, players are redefining what strength looks like, embracing both toughness and individuality. “It’s about combining femininity with the toughness and grittiness of being a female athlete,” she said. That philosophy extends to Team USA’s culture. “Inclusivity is everything for us,” Sullivan explained. “We’re a very diverse team… and those differences make us stronger.” It’s a dynamic that plays out not only in competition, but in moments of connection—like women sitting alongside international rivals, getting their nails done, sharing stories outside the intensity of the game.
It’s rugby, but it’s also something more.
Looking Ahead: Hong Kong And Beyond
Now, Sullivan’s focus shifts to the next chapter: the Hong Kong Sevens in April 2026. Widely regarded as one of the sport’s most iconic events, the Hong Kong stop is both a celebration and a crucible—marking the start of the championship run on the HSBC Sevens Series. “Hong Kong is… the birthplace of Sevens rugby,” Sullivan said. “It’s one of the most historic tour stops we have.”
HONG KONG, CHINA - MARCH 29: A general view during HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Populous)
Getty ImagesSevens Rugby did start in Hong Kong in 1976. About 3,000 people attended that first match. It has steadily grown in popularity over the past 50 years, and today the tournament will be held in brand-new Kai Tak Stadium, drawing 40,000 fans a day. This 3-day event will include the 15 best men’s and women’s teams in the world. “There’s always people in crazy costumes… the South Stand is a massive party,” she said. “You hear the shouts every time you score a try. The last three tournaments determined who wins the entire series,” Sullivan noted.
For Sullivan, it’s another chance to lead.
The Road To Los Angeles
Beyond Hong Kong lies an even bigger horizon: the 2028 Summer Olympics. At 29, Sullivan is entering what many athletes consider their prime. And she’s already thinking about what comes next. “I’m going to be at LA 2028,” she said. “Whether I’m playing or in the stands.” But make no mistake—Sammy is a person with high expectations of herself, maybe to a fault, she would say. “This young, determined team… I think we could do even better in LA than we did in Paris.”
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 08: Sammy Sullivan of the USA contests the ball during the 3rd Place Play-Off game between France and USA on day two of the HSBC SVNS Series at HBF Park on February 08, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesMore Than A Medal
Sullivan’s journey has not been defined by a single moment, per se, even one as dramatic as Paris. It has been defined by a willingness to repeatedly choose difficult paths, embrace them--and grow through them. You might say Sammy’s mantra has always been: The obstacle is the way.
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 31: (BROADCAST-OUT) Olympian Sammy Sullivan of Team United States poses on the Today Show Set on July 31, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesFrom a military childhood to West Point. From a childhood dedicated to soccer to Olympic rugby. From platoon leadership to the global stage. Each chapter builds on the last.
As Captain Sullivan prepares to take the field again in Hong Kong, one thing is clear: The mission isn’t over.
It’s just entering its next phase.