U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation announces 2023 Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast, opens 2024 application

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and Team USA Partner, Comcast, today announced the 2023 Team USA Community Champions honorees. Jamal Hill (Swim Up Hill), Peter Westbrook (The Peter Westbrook Foundation), Staci Mannella (Sisters in Sports), and Kait Miller (New England Nordic Ski Association) were selected to receive the award, which celebrates Team USA athletes’ commitment to their communities and the Olympic and Paralympic values.

The annual program, funded by the USOPF and Comcast, grants $25,000 to each honoree. Half of the grant funding is directed toward the athlete’s nonprofit of choice.

“I am thrilled to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our four awardees, who have exemplified their unwavering commitment to excellence and service within their communities,” said Christine Walshe, president of the USOPF. “Jamal, Peter, Staci and Kait, your contributions are inspiring, and you truly exemplify what it means to be a champion.”

To qualify for this award, each athlete must demonstrate a proven commitment to serving their community through nonprofit work while embodying the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship, and the Paralympic values of determination, inspiration, courage, and equality. The chosen honorees are celebrated not only for their excellence as a member of Team USA, but for their meaningful service and engagement in the community, specifically with organizations who focus on youth sport, physical activity, health, and well-being.

“We are proud to recognize Jamal, Peter, Staci, and Kait for the impact they’ve made on their local communities,” said Jessica Muir, Senior Director of Brand Partnerships & Amplification at Comcast. “By highlighting these athletes and their remarkable stories of achievement, resilience, and dedication, we hope to inspire the next generation – the Team of Tomorrow.”

During the 2023 cycle, the award received 67 athlete applications, 66% of which came from athletes who are currently competing or training. Over 85% of those athletes were Olympians or Paralympians, with 85% of the total applicant pool hailing from summer sports.

“Choosing just four winners from this exceptional pool of athlete applicants was extremely difficult and is a testament to how incredible our athlete community is,” said Yucca Rieschel of the selection committee. “As a co-chair of this committee, I’ve come to recognize that true champions are not defined by just their athletic achievements, but by their commitment to serving others and finding a deeper purpose. The impact that has been made on communities across the country by Team USA athletes is immeasurable and we hope this award continues to spotlight their success.”

U.S. Paralympian Jamal Hill, who won bronze at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, is passionate about providing accessible swimming education and water safety courses to all. His nonprofit, Swim Up Hill, provides free lessons, mentorship and skill development around aquatic safety to underserved communities. While Hill is deeply involved in his nonprofit work, he remains dedicated to his training, with sights set on Paris 2024.

Legendary fencer and five-time U.S. Olympian Peter Westbrook, who won bronze at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, has dedicated over three decades of service to the New York City community through the Peter Westbrook Foundation. Established in 1991, the PWF uses fencing to empower underrepresented youth through structured physical activity and academic support. By providing opportunity, guidance and mentorship to underserved communities, the PWF has helped its students achieve a 100% high school graduation rate, with over 98% attending college post-graduation.

Two-time alpine skiing U.S. Paralympian Staci Mannella is a volunteer with the Sisters in Sports Foundation. The foundation, which focuses on promoting gender equity in the Paralympic Movement, provides community, financial support, and mentorship to women with disabilities. Manella, who is pursuing a degree in counseling with a focus in sport psychology, uses her expertise to serve as a mentor, conduct research, and develop tailored lessons to address the specific needs of female athletes with disabilities.

Team USA alum cross-country skier Kait Miller is a volunteer with the New England Nordic Ski Association. The association serves as an educational hub for people of all ages and abilities, providing year-round programs, clinics, and events to create accessibility in the sport. As a volunteer, Miller is dedicated to expanding the youth program, while also promoting inclusivity and equity within the ski community.

As a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sponsor and Founding Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Comcast is the official presenter of Team USA Community Champions.

The 2024 application is now open. To apply, visit TeamUSA.com. For more information on the Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast, please visit TeamUSA.com.   

About Comcast Corporation 
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Team USA athletes on and off the field of play. As the fundraising arm of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the USOPF generates philanthropic support to empower Team USA athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence and well-being. Since 2013, the USOPF has raised more than $200 million for U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls. To learn more about the foundation, visit give.teamusa.org.

About United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee 
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. The USOPC is focused on protecting, supporting and empowering America’s athletes, and is responsible for fielding U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, and serving as the steward of the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the U.S. For more information, visit TeamUSA.com.