Team USA Eligibility

The USOPC developed the Team USA Athlete Benefits Model, inclusive of defining who is a Team USA athlete, to establish transparent eligibility criteria and a consistent process that outlines which USOPC wellness resources athletes are eligible to receive and when, including through retirement. Athlete performance resources will continue to be allocated through the criteria set forth in the high performance plans in partnership with each NGB.

Team USA athletes are those who have been selected to represent the U.S. at a Delegation Event or a competition on the pathway to the Olympic or Paralympic Games as determined by their NGB.

Team USA Athlete Definition

Team USA Pipeline Graphic *Note - Only sections with Blue Background is Team USA

Eligibility Criteria

An athlete who meets one or more of the following criteria as of April 2023-present is eligible for USOPC wellness benefits as a member of Team USA. Athletes determined to be eligible prior to April 1, 2023 have been identified and are welcome to access benefits through Agora. To be eligible, athletes must compete in a sport discipline that is on the program for an upcoming Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American or Parapan American Games.

Competition Criteria
1. Nominated to the U.S. Olympic or Paralympic Team; or
2. Nominated to the U.S. Pan American Games or U.S. Parapan American Games Team; or
3. Selected to represent the U.S. in a World Championships or Operation Gold event (as defined in the funding schedule); or
4. Selected to represent the U.S. in an international competition identified on the pathway to an Olympic or Paralympic Games (e.g., Olympic Qualification Tournament, World Cup Final); or
5. World ranked top 20 by the end of the season, or a date defined by the NGB
Athlete Benefits & Resources
- Athlete Marketing & Promotion
- Career & Education
- Confidential Advising (Athlete Ombuds)
- Financial Support (Grants & Financial Literacy)
- Mental Health & Mental Performance (Psychological Services)
- Resources not associated with the Team USA Athlete Definition: EAHI, Medical Network (USOPMN), Medical Assistance Fund. For more information on these resources, please reach out to your NGB.
Athlete Benefits & Resources Overview

Notable Exceptions

Principles Applied to Criteria #4

Principles Applied to Criteria #5

Sport-Specific Criteria
Using the definition and in collaboration with each sport team, for the 2024-2025 Resource Allocation cycle, the following competitions meet the Team USA Criteria for each sport.
Click Here for Sport-Specific Criteria, opens in a new tab

Athlete Benefits Breakdown

Team USA Athletes will be eligible for benefits as determined by their specific pathway.

*Athletes will receive career, education, financial wellness and athlete marketing benefits for 10-years from their last qualifying event.

Athlete Benefits FAQs

What are the Athlete Benefits Pathways?

How frequently will the Athlete List be updated?

What if an Athlete gains eligibility for a higher benefits level in the middle of their season?

Who approves the Athlete Lists?

I've qualified for Team USA Athlete Benefits. Where can I access them?

How long do my benefits last?

What if a sport does not have a qualifying competition each year? (Ex: years following a Games year, postponement due to pandemic)

I’m a Paralympic Guide. Do I qualify for Athlete Benefits?

I was selected as a traveling alternate/replacement athlete to an eligible qualifying competition. Do I qualify for Athlete Benefits?

I was selected to an eligible qualifying competition, and did not compete due to non-disciplinary reasons, such as injury. Do I qualify for Athlete Benefits?

I represented the United States as a Junior level competitor with my NGB. Am I considered an Emerging Athlete?

Performance resources are not listed in this model. How will these resources be allocated?

I have not met the criteria for Athlete Benefits; however, I am receiving Performance resources. Will I have access to the Athlete Benefits resources, as well?

What happens to my benefits if my sport, discipline or event is removed from a Delegation Event competition program?

Are members of the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association (USOPA) eligible for Team USA Athlete Benefits?

What do I do if I have questions about my eligibility for benefits?

What responsibilities do athletes need to follow to be eligible for Benefits?

Terms to Know

Click on the drop downs to familiarize yourself with eligibility-related terminology.