Two top Army athletes will be competing for their home nations at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Games open today (Friday 26 July) and close on Sunday 11 August.
Second Lieutenant Kerenza Bryson and Corporal Stephen Cox will be representing Team GB and Zimbabwe respectively.
Both athletes say their medal hopes have been hugely boosted by the Army’s programme for elite athletes.
Kerenza, known as Kay, will compete in the Women’s Modern Pentathlon from 8 to 11 August.
Pentathon is a sport comprising swimming, fencing, horse riding, shooting and running.
Kay is a Maritime Troop Commander reserve officer with Plymouth-based 265 Port (Devon) Squadron, 165 Port and Maritime, Royal Logistic Corps.
She has headed to France fresh from being crowned European champion and is hoping for a place on the podium in Paris.
Kay warmed up for the games in perfect style by winning the gold medal in the individual women’s event, and a silver medal in the team event, at the European Modern Pentathlon championships in Budapest earlier this month.
Last year she won the bronze medal in the women’s individual event at the World Modern Pentathlon Championships and silver in the team competition.
Kay, aged 25, also won women’s individual gold at the Modern Pentathlon World Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria in May 2023.
She plans to join the Army full time following the Games in Paris, having qualified as a doctor last year.
Kay was crowned UK Armed Forces Sportswoman of the Year in 2023. She says:
“I want to thank my unit for their constant support and commitment to my Olympic dream. I am also extremely grateful for the Army Sports Control Board who have encouraged me since I started in the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC).
“I get a lot more support with pentathlon than I had before I joined the Reserves which has helped me hugely in performance progression. I have been able to access better training, coaching and more advanced kit.
“The support I have received through the Army has really contributed to my performances and will make all the difference going into the Games.”
Formerly a student at the University of Plymouth Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, she joined the Army Reserves for the last two years of her studies and graduated as a doctor after six years.
Kay, who grew up and lives in Devon, near Dartmoor, said:
“I am a doctor by trade and will go on to practise medicine after I finish my sporting career. I am hoping to join the regular Army as a doctor in the future.
“I joined the Reserves so I could manage alongside training and studying, and it is teaching me how to manage junior officer roles and responsibilities.
“My unit supports me hugely in balancing my sport and medical careers. I wanted to join the Army for the opportunities in sport, travel, and the type of medicine I am interested in specialising in, trauma and emergency.”
Competing at the Olympics fulfils a childhood dream for Kay. She told the GB Pentathlon website:
"This is an absolute dream come true. Ten-year-old Kay would be so proud.
"I’m incredibly excited about competing in Paris and will be giving it my best shot with all my friends and family watching!"
the British Army... have provided me with the time and resources needed to train effectively, which is crucial... Without their assistance, balancing this intensive training with a full-time job would have been nearly impossible
Corporal Stephen Cox will row for Zimbabwe in the Men’s Single Skulls, which will take place from 27 July to 3 August.
Steve, who belongs to the Royal Logistic Corps, will finally fulfil his Olympic dream after missing out on the last Olympics in Tokyo due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
An outstanding qualifying performance at the African qualifiers saw him book his place in Paris. He says:
"This dream has been an aspiration of mine since I was 13."
He joined the military 11 years ago but has managed to combine his Army career with a rigorous training schedule that involves rowing up to 250 kilometres a week, supplemented by weightlifting and cycling to maintain peak physical condition.
Steve has been training Down Under with the Australian rowing team to prepare for the games.
He is a proud British soldier but acknowledges the unusual nature of his competing for Zimbabwe, saying:
"A lot of people get confused about it, but I couldn't thank the British Army enough for how instrumental they've been in this whole process.
“They have provided me with the time and resources needed to train effectively, which is crucial as rowing demands around five hours of training each day. Without their assistance, balancing this intensive training with a full-time job would have been nearly impossible.”
Steve highlights how the Army has taught him invaluable lessons that have helped pave the way for him reaching the pinnacle of his sport:
“The military has taught me courage, bravery, discipline, respect for others, integrity, and loyalty to my coaching team, my wife, and all my supporters. These values are essential not only in sports but in all aspects of life.”
We wish Kay and Steve, superb ambassadors for British Army Sport, the very best of luck in Paris.