In a startling turn of events, the FBI has unveiled a new image of Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian who is now at the center of a high-profile murder and drug trafficking investigation. Once celebrated for his athletic prowess, Wedding has allegedly become the notorious leader of an international drug ring linked to multiple homicides.

The freshly released, undated photo shows Wedding absorbed in his phone at an undisclosed location, showcasing a significant change in his appearance with shorter hair and a hint of a beard that distinguishes him from earlier images where he sported longer locks. This makeover adds to the intrigue surrounding his flight from justice.

Wedding, who once represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City—where he finished a modest 24th in the parallel giant slalom—now finds himself as the central figure in a sprawling indictment involving 16 defendants. This indictment, revealed last month, accuses the group, including nine other Canadians, of trafficking an astounding 1,800 kilograms of cocaine across a network stretching from Colombia through Mexico, all the way to the streets of North America.

At the age of 43, Wedding is believed to be hiding out in Mexico, and authorities have traced his involvement to at least three murders in Canada, one of which resulted in the tragic death of an innocent couple in Caledon, Ontario. With eight charges outstanding against him, including three counts of murder tied to a continuing criminal enterprise, he is considered extremely dangerous.

Andrew Clark, a 34-year-old Canadian and Wedding’s alleged right-hand man, is currently in custody, further complicating the ongoing investigation. Adding to his legal woes, Wedding also faces unresolved drug trafficking charges in Canada stemming from 2015, as detailed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Compelling details have emerged from an extradition court application obtained by CTV News Toronto, revealing that U.S. law enforcement knew of Wedding’s whereabouts back in January 2024. Despite this, they opted not to apprehend him at that time. A cooperating witness reportedly met with Wedding and Clark in Mexico City, suggesting that he remains actively involved in drug operations.

The investigation, dubbed Operation Giant Slalom, has brought to light how a celebrated athlete could descend into a life intertwined with narcotics and violence. In 2010, Wedding was sentenced to four years in prison after a failed drug buy from an undercover U.S. agent. Post-release, however, U.S. District Attorney Martin Estrada claims he was reestablishing connections with drug trafficking networks and has likely received protection from the infamous Sinaloa Cartel.

To add to the dramatic stakes, the FBI is reportedly offering a staggering $50,000 reward for information leading to Wedding's capture. As the search intensifies, it begs the question: how does a celebrated Olympian fall from grace to become a fugitive in one of the most dangerous criminal enterprises? The saga of Ryan James Wedding continues to unfold, captivating audiences and leaving many eager for justice to be served. Stay tuned for updates on this gripping story!