USOPC COVID-19 Mitigation Approach
Following safe and successful back-to-back Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing, and with declining COVID-19 cases, reduced risk, updated CDC recommendations, and high vaccination prevalence in both the Team USA community and across the U.S., the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee has reevaluated and updated its COVID-19 mitigation approach. The following measures and protocols are effective April 1, 2022, and reflect our commitment to providing a safe, healthy and accessible environment for athletes and the Team USA community.
As we transition away from a community-wide vaccine requirement, and in lieu of the COVID-19 policies and mitigation measures as previously outlined in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Centers Handbook and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Delegation and Trials Participant Rules, the USOPC will follow CDC and local guidance to determine standard mitigation measures – including access, testing, quarantine and isolation protocols – for all USOPC facilities and events based on the CDC’s community level and risk profile for each location. Specific protocols for each risk level – low, moderate and high – is outlined below.
The health and safety of our community continues to be a top priority and we will continue to evaluate and alter our polices as the COVID climate evolves.
Vaccination & Boosters #
The CDC defines two COVID-19 vaccination statuses:
Fully vaccinated: This status applies to an individual two weeks after they have received all recommended doses in their primary COVID-19 vaccine series.
Up to date: This status applies to an individual when they have received all recommended doses in their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, and recommended booster doses when eligible.
- For optimal protection against COVID-19, the CDC recommends that individuals ages 12 years and older remain up to date by obtaining all COVID-19 booster doses for which you are eligible.
- USOPC Employees: All USOPC employees and contractors are required to be fully vaccinated (or have received an approved medical or religious exemption) and to keep up to date on boosters.
- Athletes: The USOPC strongly recommends that athletes follow CDC COVID-19 vaccine guidelines and remain up to date on vaccinations and booster doses when eligible, but athletes are not required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status to access or use a USOPC facility or participate in a USOPC event or delegation.
- NGB staff and non-USOPC coaches: The USOPC strongly recommends that NGB staff and coaches who access USOPC facilities follow CDC COVID-19 vaccine guidelines and remain up to date on their vaccinations, but like athletes, proof of vaccination status is not required to access or use USOPC facilities, or to participate in a USOPC event or delegation. Each NGB reserves the right to implement its own policy or requirement around COVID-19 vaccination and boosters that may apply to athletes, coaches, staff and other members.
- USOPC vendors: All vendors accessing a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center are required to provide proof of vaccination. Vendors accessing other USOPC facilities will not be required to show proof of vaccination.
- Training Center visitors: All visitors over the age of 5 are required to provide proof of up to date vaccination status upon entry to a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Visitors to other USOPC facilities are not required to show proof of vaccination.
Testing #
- Athletes and NGB staff who require a COVID-19 test for travel, work, or to meet quarantine requirements (e.g., test 5 days post-COVID-19 exposure) can do so via US Wellness at a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center; however, only symptomatic athletes may be evaluated by USOPC sports medicine and get tested for COVID-19.
- The USOPC does not provide COVID-19 testing to NGB staff who are symptomatic. Symptomatic NGB staff should not access USOPC facilities, and are encouraged to get a COVID-19 test in the community and see their health care provider.
- The USOPC does not require COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic athletes or other individuals, regardless of their vaccination status or the local risk profile as defined by the CDC COVID-19 Community Level.
Quarantine & Isolation #
- The USOPC follows CDC guidelines for post-international travel quarantine and/or COVID-19 testing.
- The USOPC follows CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation for individuals who have close contact with someone positive for COVID-19 or who personally test positive for COVID-19.
- USOPC sports medicine will perform contact tracing if an athlete is diagnosed with COVID-19 and will follow CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines, including associated COVID-19 testing recommendations.
- Unvaccinated athletes are not required to undergo a five-day quarantine with two COVID-19 tests prior to entering a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
- A room allotment at the Training Centers is reserved for quarantine and isolation. If capacity is exceeded, the USOPC will coordinate with the athlete and their National Governing Body on alternative arrangements for the duration of their quarantine or isolation period.
Events & Facilities #
- The USOPC follows local COVID-19 regulations at USOPC properties related to building capacity, exercise facilities, restaurants/cafeterias, communal housing, etc.
- USOPC events and activities are required to follow local public health guidelines, but no additional COVID-19 mitigation measures are required.
- Visitors to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Centers, ages 5 and older, are required to show proof of up to date vaccination status. Visitors to other USOPC facilities (e.g., offices, etc.) are not required to be vaccinated, but must adhere to local health guidelines.
Community Prevalence & Risk Levels#
As we transition away from a community-wide vaccine requirement, and in lieu of the COVID-19 policies and mitigation measures as previously outlined in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Centers Handbook and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Delegation and Trials Participant Rules, the USOPC will follow CDC and local guidance to determine standard mitigation measures – including access, testing, quarantine and isolation protocols – for all USOPC facilities and events based on the CDC’s Community Levels, which outline risk profiles for each location. In the event of a change in risk level (i.e., Low, Moderate, High) members of our community will be notified via email and signage at USOPC facilities.
Symptoms and Exposure. Avoid coming to USOPC facilities and get tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Isolation and Quarantine. Follow CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines if you test positive for COVID-19 or have close sustained contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Travel. Follow CDC guidelines for post-international travel quarantine and testing.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster. It is strongly recommended to follow CDC COVID-19 vaccine guidelines and remain up to date on vaccinations and boosters. Athletes and NGB staff are not required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status to access or use a USOPC facility or participate in a USOPC event or delegation, unless otherwise required by their National Governing Body.
USOPC employees, contractors, vendors and OPTC visitors (i.e. tours, spectators, guests, media, etc.) are required to provide proof of vaccination status upon entry to a USOPC facility or event.
COVID-19 Testing. Members of the Team USA community who are accessing USOPC facilities and require a
- Athletes – Resident and camps (onsite at a Training Center)
- Non-USOPC Staff at Training Centers and other facilities
- USOPC staff
COVID-19 testing and medical evaluation will only be administered to athletes who are symptomatic while at a Training Center. USOPC and non-USOPC staff who are symptomatic will be asked not to enter the facility, and to get a COVID-19 test in the community, and see their health care provider.
Special guidelines for face mask use in sports medicine clinics: Consistent with CDC guidelines for healthcare facilities, athletes, sports medicine and healthcare staff are still required to wear face masks during patient visits while in sports medicine clinics, regardless of COVID community risk level. Athletes and sports medicine/healthcare staff should use their own masks when possible; however, sports medicine staff will provide a mask if needed.
Training Center Dining Hall – No restrictions.
Training Center Lap Swim – Indoor Pool (Colorado Springs only) – Athletes and staff may use indoor pool for lap swim, when available.
Training Center Visitors, Spectators, Media – Public areas at the Training Centers (i.e., tours) are open to visitors, spectators and media with proof of vaccination.
Meeting and Event Participants – Offsite and onsite meetings and events should follow CDC, local health guidelines and best practices. For meetings and events hosted at USOPC facilities, indoor spaces are open at full capacity. Unvaccinated participants who are at high-risk should physically distance at 6 feet.
Training Center Dining Hall – No restrictions.
Training Center Lap Swim – Indoor Pool (Colorado Springs only) – Athletes and staff may use indoor pool for lap swim, when available.
Training Center Visitors, Spectators, Media – Public areas at the Training Centers (i.e., tours) are open to visitors, spectators and media with proof of vaccination. Masks are required.
Meeting and Event Participants – Offsite and onsite meetings and events should follow CDC, local health guidelines and best practices. For meetings and events hosted at USOPC facilities, indoor spaces are open at full capacity. Unvaccinated participants who are at high-risk should physically distance at 6 feet.
Training Center Dining Hall – In-cafeteria dining is reserved for athletes only. All others may use a take-out option.
Training Center Lap Swim – Indoor Pool (Colorado Springs only) – Lap swim open to athletes only, when available.
Training Center Visitors, Spectators, Media – Public areas at the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (i.e., tours) are open to visitors, spectators and media with proof of vaccination. Masks are required. Tours will exclude any areas that are accessed by athletes. The Lake Placid Olympic & Paralympic Training Center is closed to outside visitors. No visitors, spectators, or media will be permitted in indoor facilities.
Meeting and Event Participants – Offsite meetings and events should follow CDC, local health guidelines and best practices. For, meetings and events that are hosted at a USOPC facility (including the Training Centers), visitors, spectators or media will not be permitted in indoor facilities.