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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Ryan Wedding

Ryan James Wedding is a Canadian former Olympic snowboarder born in 1981.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ryan James Wedding is a Canadian former Olympic snowboarder born in 1981. He competed for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics and later became known as an alleged transnational drug trafficker and fugitive wanted by U.S. authorities. He was reportedly arrested in Mexico City in January 2026 to face charges in the United States.

Early life and snowboarding career

Wedding was born in 1981 and later became a competitive snowboarder for Canada. He competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in the men's parallel giant slalom event.

Criminal allegations and fugitive status

After retiring from snowboarding, Wedding was accused by U.S. authorities of leading a transnational drug trafficking network involving cocaine distribution, money laundering, and violent crimes. He was placed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2025.

Arrest and extradition proceedings

Multiple news reports in January 2026 said Wedding was arrested in Mexico City and transferred or expected to be transferred to U.S. custody. Those reports said he faced federal charges in the United States.

Public record and official actions

The FBI and U.S. Treasury have publicly identified Wedding as a Canadian national wanted for major narcotics trafficking offenses. Treasury also imposed sanctions on him and associated people and entities.

Key facts

  • Represented Canada in the men's parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
  • Was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and is identified as Canadian by U.S. authorities.
  • After his athletic career, he was accused of involvement in international cocaine trafficking and related violent crimes.
  • The FBI added him to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in March 2025.
  • U.S. authorities and Treasury officials described him as leading a transnational narcotics organization operating across several countries.
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Canadian context

Wedding is a Canadian former Olympian, and his case has drawn attention in Canada because he represented Team Canada before becoming the subject of major international criminal allegations and cross-border law-enforcement action.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ryan Wedding?
Ryan Wedding is a Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics and later became the subject of major U.S. drug-trafficking allegations.
What Olympic event did he compete in?
He competed in the men's parallel giant slalom snowboarding event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Why was he on the FBI's Most Wanted list?
U.S. authorities said he led a transnational cocaine-trafficking organization and was involved in related murders and money laundering.
Was Ryan Wedding arrested?
News reports in January 2026 said he was arrested in Mexico City and taken or expected to be taken to the United States to face charges.
What is Ryan Wedding's nationality?
He is Canadian.
Where was Ryan Wedding born?
He was born in Thunder Bay, Canada.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Wedding
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, Olympic participation, and later criminal allegations.
  2. FBI — https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/losangeles/news/former-olympian-added-to-fbis-list-of-ten-most-wanted-fugitives
    Supports: Ten Most Wanted listing, nationality, birthplace, aliases, and alleged drug-trafficking role.
  3. U.S. Department of State — https://www.state.gov/ryan-james-wedding
    Supports: Official description of Wedding as a former Olympic snowboarder and transnational narcotics trafficker.
  4. U.S. Department of the Treasury — https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0320
    Supports: Sanctions and description of alleged narcotrafficking and Olympic background.
  5. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ryan-wedding-snowboard-loving-kid-coquitlam-9.7065625
    Supports: Canadian context, Olympic background, and January 2026 arrest reporting.
  6. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj0nd8z1z59o
    Supports: January 2026 arrest reporting and extradition-related coverage.