Army Staff Sgt. Elizabeth "Libby" Callahan
Women's Pistol

At age 56, U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Libby Callahan is believed to be the oldest woman to compete in the Olympic Games.

"It's something I don't think about when I'm out there competing," she said. "It's just such an honor to represent the country as a U.S. Army soldier and Olympian."

Callahan began competitive shooting in 1980 while working with the Washington, D.C., police department. She joined the Army Reserve in 1985, which, she said, helped take her sport to the next level. She credits support from the Army and her commanders with giving her the time and training to become an Olympic competitor."I may never have had the opportunity to compete in international matches without the Army Reserve," Callahan said.

Callahan will make her fourth trip to the Olympic Games in August. She also competed in 1992, 1996 and 2004, and won a bronze medal for air pistol during 2005 World Cup USA.

Callahan retired from the police force in 2003 as a captain in the special operations division. The native of Columbia, S.C., is assigned to an Army Reserve unit based in Atlanta.