World Class Athlete Program WORLD CLASS ATHLETE PROGRAM (WCAP) The Air Force World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) is a twoyear program that provides active duty, national guard and reserve Air Force personnel the opportunity to train and compete at national and international sports competitions with the ultimate goal of selection to the United States Olympic team. The WCAP is not a developmental program; it targets athletes who have achieved world class status in their sport. If selected, the athlete will be assigned to Headquarters Air Force Services Agency, San Antonio, Texas, with a duty location near elite coaches and/or world class training facilities. Candidates must remain competitive for a U.S Olympic team position to remain in the program, which ends with the Olympic Trials or after competing with the national team at the Olympics. James Bales, a 2001 graduate, is currently training in Colorado Springs under the WCAP in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in the triathlon. Capt. Eli Bremer, a 2000 gradute, Former Air Force swimmers that have served competed in the Beijing Olympics. as members of the WCAP in 2008 include Capt. Eli Bremer, 2nd Lt. Chris Knaute and 2nd Lt. “The Air Force WCAP has allowed me to Paul Parmenter. Bremer, a 2000 continue to swim and compete to pursue graduate of the Academy, competed my athletic goals, while I still get to pur- in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the modern pentathlon. Meanwhile, sue my long-term goal of becoming a Knaute and Parmenter, both 2007 pilot.” -2nd Lt. Chris Knaute, class of 2007 graduates, participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials in swimming in 2008. Both spent a year in Charlotte, N.C., training at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center, mentored by former Auburn head coach Dave Marsh.
James Bales (two photos above), a 2001 graduate, is training for the 2012 Olympics.
2nd Lt. Chris Knaute (left) and 2nd Lt. Paul Parmenter (right) both trained for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials at the Mecklenburg (N.C.) Aquatic Center, a USA Swimming Center of Excellence.
2011-12 Air Force Men’s Swimming & Diving
34
GoAirForceFalcons.com