Ryan Wedding, originally from Coquitlam, B.C., began his journey from a simple school kid with a misspelled name in the yearbook to an Olympic snowboarder turned suspected drug lord. The 1999 Centennial High School yearbook mistakenly listed him as “Bryan” Wedding, but his graduation photo unmistakably identifies him as Ryan Wedding, with a quirky nod to an 1980s sitcom.
Now, at 44 years old, Wedding faces accusations from the U.S. FBI of orchestrating a significant narcotics operation responsible for transporting large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine from Central and South America to the United States, Canada, and other destinations. The contrast between his promising Olympic beginnings and his current association with notorious drug figures like Pablo Escobar and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is puzzling.
Allegations also link Wedding to four murders, three of which occurred in Canada. Last year, the FBI raised the reward for information leading to his capture to $15 million USD. Canadian Olympic snowboarder Alexa Loo recalls first meeting Wedding when he was 13 and already showcasing his talents as a member of the Blackcomb Snowboard Club.
Competing internationally at just 16 years old, Wedding achieved notable success in snowboard racing, claiming silver and bronze medals at the Junior World Championships and becoming a Canadian champion in 2001. Despite his early accomplishments, his Olympic journey ended disappointingly in 2002 when he failed to qualify for the knockout rounds in Salt Lake City.
After his snowboarding career, Wedding pursued education at Simon Fraser University and briefly worked as a bouncer at a bar. However, his path took a dark turn with ties to illegal activities, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. His tumultuous life story is now the subject of a documentary series titled “Snow King: From Olympian to Narco.”
While Wedding’s downfall is a cautionary tale, it highlights the complex journey of a once-promising athlete who veered off course into criminal activities. His capture in Mexico after years on the run signifies the end of a chapter in his tumultuous life.
