Global Stewardship
The USOPC strengthened our organizational foundations internally, domestically and abroad ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and beyond. As proud representatives of the United States and the global Olympic and Paralympic movements, the USOPC drives positive impact at all levels.
In 2023, the USOPC contributed to the success of the 2023 Lake Placid FISU World University Winter Games, in partnership with the Olympic Regional Development Authority, the USOPC Lake Placid Training Center and the winter NGBs. More than 2,000 participants representing 12 sports, 535 universities and 46 countries came together for the Games. In total, Team USA athletes took home 17 medals – the most in 30 years.
Looking ahead to 2028, the USOPC and LA28 continue making progress toward hosting the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since the LA 2028 Games will mark the first Games in the U.S. in 26 years, the USOPC looks forward to sharing a distinctive, fresh and innovative experience for athletes, NGBs, NOCs and fans alike. We also made progress on our bid to host the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, being named as the “preferred host” city as the USOPC continues to engage in targeted dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We are hopeful to welcome the world back to the U.S. again, six years later, for another Games.
Shared Learning
The USOPC, in coordination with Olympic Solidarity and Panam Sports, hosted the fifth Americas Best Practices Symposium in Miami, Florida. Leaders of all active National Olympic Committees in the Pan American family attended the symposium to discuss sports analytics, digital marketing, good financial governance, performance innovation, social impact, athlete safety, mental health and the legacy of the 2023 Pan American Games.
In 2023, the USOPC also hosted other information-sharing events including the Olympic Solidarity Paris Preparation Forum, World Skateboard Olympic Solidarity Camp and the 13th-annual International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program.
International Relations#
The USOPC strives to strengthen our internal, domestic and international partnerships through increased connection and representation.
For the fifth year in a row, the U.S. was ranked as the number one country in this year’s Sports Political Power Index (SPPI), expanding our lead from 45 points and 57 representatives in 2021, to 88 points and 72 representatives in 2023. The SPPI measures the international influence of countries based on their positions in the International Sports Federations, International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and Association of National Olympic Committees.
In line with our dedication to global stewardship, we signed the Joint Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection, facilitated by the Sports for Refugees Coalition. The pledge commits to collective efforts to improve lives with and through sport, reaching an estimated 825,000 displaced people and host community members. The USOPC also hired a former refugee athlete, Yiech Pur Biel, as a Fellow on the international relations team and is continuing to create pathways for education and career development for refugee athletes. This pledge and resulting work are intended to raise further awareness of and help mitigate the refugee crisis happening around the world.
Separately, Panam Sports welcomed changes to the Executive Committee during the LXI General Assembly in Santiago, Chile ahead of the 19th edition of the Pan American Games. After 14 countries cast their votes, former USOPC President, Susanne Lyons, became the Third Vice President of Pan Am Sports. Having U.S. representation in a key leadership role within Pan Am Sports presents an opportunity for the USOPC to continue advancing the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the Americas. We were also proud to confirm U.S. representatives in six key roles across the movements during 2023 International Elections.
- Brian Hainline, International Tennis Federation Board
- David Haggerty, International Tennis Federation President
- Joe Walsh, Vice President, International Association of Blind Athletes
- Mark Miller, World Archery Executive Board
- Susanne Lyons, Third Vice President Pan Am Sports
- Willie Banks, World Athletics Council
Congressional Commission#
The USOPC engaged fully in the Congressional Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics’ review throughout 2023, with more than three-dozen USOPC employees helping to produce over 47,000 pages of necessary documents and more than 5,000 athletes, alumni and staff enlisted to complete a Commission survey. Sarah Hirshland testified as a witness on behalf of the USOPC at the Congressional Commission Public Hearing in Washington, D.C., to underscore the importance of topics including competition safety, athlete voice and representation, transparency from National Governing Bodies, para-athlete challenges and youth participation.
