Olympic Power Couple Reunites in Italy for Valentine's Day

Sergeant Robby Burns supports fiancée Deedra Irwin as she competes for historic first U.S. biathlon medal.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Sergeant Robby Burns and his fiancée Deedra Irwin, both members of the Vermont National Guard and the U.S. Army World-Class Athlete Program, are reunited in Italy this week as Irwin competes in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The couple met at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where Burns was a snowboarder for Team USA. Now, Burns is in Italy to support Irwin, the top-ranked U.S. biathlete, as she aims to win the country's first-ever Olympic medal in the sport.

Why it matters

Biathlon, a combination of cross-country skiing and precision rifle shooting, is hugely popular in Europe but less so in the United States. Irwin's success could help grow the sport's profile and inspire more American athletes to take it up. The couple's personal story also highlights the unique opportunities and challenges faced by military service members who are also elite athletes.

The details

Burns and Irwin both serve in the Vermont National Guard and represent the U.S. Army World-Class Athlete Program, which supports more than 600 athletes who have won over 120 Olympic and Paralympic medals. While Irwin focuses on competition, Burns has spent the last four years learning the complexities of biathlon. The couple plans to celebrate Valentine's Day together in Italy, with Burns arranging a personal surprise for Irwin rather than ordering gifts online.

  • Irwin is scheduled to compete in her sixth event, the mass start, on Sunday, February 22.
  • Irwin must qualify for the mass start through her performance in sprint and pursuit events over the next 10 days.

The players

Robby Burns

A sergeant in the Vermont National Guard and a former snowboarder for Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Deedra Irwin

The top-ranked U.S. biathlete, currently competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy with the goal of winning the country's first-ever Olympic medal in the sport.

Vermont National Guard

The military unit that both Burns and Irwin serve in.

U.S. Army World-Class Athlete Program

A program that supports more than 600 elite athletes, including Burns and Irwin, who have collectively won over 120 Olympic and Paralympic medals.

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What they’re saying

“I can just remember clear as day making eye contact with this beautiful brown-eyed blonde dyed brown-haired girl and kind of eye smiling at each other. The odds of that happening are so insanely low. And the fact that they did, we're just super grateful for it.”

— Robby Burns (WPRI.com)

“Now we're talking about athletes that are doing anywhere from 600 to 800 hours of cardiovascular training every single year without taking a year off. Every time she steps up to the starting line and crosses the finish line, she has an opportunity to be a medal contender in a World Cup race at the Olympics and World Championships.”

— Robby Burns (WPRI.com)

“What a tremendous blessing it is for us athletes to be able to be the face of that in a sense. We get this tremendous blessing to go represent our country.”

— Robby Burns (WPRI.com)

What’s next

Irwin must qualify for the mass start event through her performance in sprint and pursuit events over the next 10 days.

The takeaway

This story highlights the unique challenges and opportunities faced by military service members who are also elite athletes, as well as the growing popularity of biathlon in the United States. Irwin's success could inspire more American athletes to take up the sport.