From Slopes to Shadows: The Rise and Fall of Ryan Wedding

Ryan James Wedding’s life reads like a cautionary tale of talent, ambition, and a descent into infamy. Once celebrated as a Canadian Olympian, he is now branded by U.S. authorities as one of the world’s most violent drug traffickers. Here’s a timeline tracing his dramatic transformation:

Early Promise (2002)

• Wedding represented Canada at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, competing in the men’s parallel giant slalom snowboarding event.
• Seen as a rising star, his athletic career was short-lived, with little public spotlight after the Games.

First Legal Troubles (2000s–2010s)

• Reports suggest Wedding became entangled in criminal networks during the years following his Olympic appearance.
• By the early 2010s, he was linked to drug trafficking operations, allegedly building ties with the Sinaloa cartel.

Alleged Cartel Leadership (2015–2020)

• In 2015, Wedding fled authorities, beginning his life as a fugitive.
• U.S. investigators accuse him of running a billion-dollar cocaine empire, importing up to 60 metric tons annually into North America.
• His organization allegedly expanded into fentanyl distribution, amplifying its deadly impact.

Escalation of Violence (2020–2025)

• Wedding was indicted on charges of murder, money laundering, and conspiracy.
• Authorities allege he ordered the killing of a federal witness, cementing his reputation as an “extremely violent criminal”.
• Nicknamed “El Jefe,” “Public Enemy,” and “Giant,” he was compared to Pablo Escobar and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

FBI’s Most Wanted (2025)

• In March 2025, Wedding was officially added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, with a reward raised to $15 million.
• He is believed to be hiding in Mexico under cartel protection, continuing to evade capture.

Ryan Wedding’s trajectory from Olympic hopeful to alleged cartel boss underscores the stark contrast between athletic glory and criminal notoriety. Once cheered on the slopes, he is now pursued across borders as one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives.