Equity And Diversity
Team USA athletes have protections against discrimination.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are required to ensure members are treated fairly and are allowed to participate without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin. NGBs and the USOPC are also required to have non-discrimination policies and procedures and to implement them equitably and consistently. These requirements are included in the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and the USOPC Bylaws.
Team USA athletes have protections related to:
- Equal opportunity to participate without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
More Information#
This information is intended to simplify and support Team USA athlete education around a complex system of rights and responsibilities within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Learn more about your rights as a Team USA athlete by referring to the applicable laws or governance documents.
Governing Boards: Governing boards are groups of individuals tasked with overseeing the governance of an organization.
USOPC Responsibilities
Report data to Congress annually, including:
- Data on participation of women, disabled individuals and racial and ethnic minorities in Olympic and Paralympic sport activities and administration (of the USOPC and NGBs).
- Description of steps taken to encourage participation of women, disabled individuals and racial and ethnic minorities in Olympic and Paralympic sport activities and administration.
- View the USOPC’s latest annual Impact Report, which includes DEI data for the USOPC and NGBs.
NGB Responsibilities
- Demonstrate that its membership is open to any individual active in the relevant sport.
- Ensure that participation in the sport as athletes, coaches, trainers, staff, administrators and governing board/board members is not restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.
- Does not discriminate on the basis of sex -or- has “reasonable representation of both males and females” for those sports with separate male and female programs.
- Provide equitable support and encouragement for women in instances of separate programs for men and women.