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Campbell Wright, who has previously showcased his skills for New Zealand at the Olympic level, has now earned a spot with Team USA for the 2026 Winter Games.
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — At just 23, Campbell Wright is set to compete as a biathlete for Team USA at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026.
While his fellow team members hail from various parts of the United States, Wright’s roots trace back to Wanaka, New Zealand.
Read more: Discover which U.S. states contribute the most athletes to Team USA.
Wondering how an athlete from New Zealand can join the U.S. team? The answer lies in his dual citizenship.
According to NBC Olympics, Wright previously represented New Zealand throughout the earlier part of his career, winning at “various competitive levels.”
He represented New Zealand in the 2022 Beijing Olympics and won World Championships in 2021 and 2023.Â
That same year, he switched to the United States for more intensive training and funding. NBC Olympics said Wright was born to two American parents and was able to make the switch from Team New Zealand to Team USA because of his dual citizenship and American passport.Â
His Olympic profile said he began biathlon in 2016 at the age of 14 since he lived near the “Snowfarm,” a ski area in New Zealand dedicated to cross-country skiing.
Wright will represent the United States at his second Olympic Games on Sunday Feb. 8 in biathlon alongside teammates Maxime Germain, Deedra Irwin and Margie Freed.Â
