Athlete Stipends and Support Programs

Athlete Stipends and support programs are generally granted to athletes with proven success in Olympic or Paralympic Games, World Championships, Para World Championships or who have potential to medal in these events. Athlete Stipends will only be provided to athletes who are currently training and competing.

ATHLETE STIPENDS and Support ProgramsHigh Performance ProgramsResident Athlete Program

Athlete Ombuds

Team USA athletes may contact the Office of the Athlete Ombuds for independent and confidential advice on a variety of sport related matters, including their rights, applicable rules, policies or processes, and questions related to resolving disputes and grievances. The Athlete Ombuds can also help Team USA athletes connect with legal counsel or mental health resources if needed. All other NGB athletes (i.e., athletes competing domestically at the masters or youth level, recreational athletes, foreign athletes) are welcome to visit the Athlete Ombuds website to review informational resources and should work directly with their NGB to understand additional resources and options available to them.

Athlete Ombuds Confidentiality and Privacy Policy:

1. In general. —The Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall maintain as confidential any information communicated or provided to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds.
2. Exception. —The Office of the Athlete Ombuds may disclose information described in subparagraph (A) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute, with the permission of the parties involved.
3. Judicial and administrative proceedings.
   1. In general. —The ombudsman and the staff of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds .
   2. Work product. —Any memorandum, work product, notes, or case file of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds—
      1. shall be confidential; and
      2. shall not be—
         1. subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of legal compulsion; or
         2. admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative proceeding.
4. Applicability. —The confidentiality requirements under this paragraph shall not apply to information relating to—
   1. applicable federally mandated reporting requirements;
   2. a felony personally witnessed by a member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds;
   3. a situation, communicated to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, in which an individual is at imminent risk of serious harm; or
   4. a congressional subpoena.

Retaliation Definition:

As defined in Section 220501(b)(11) of the Act, any adverse or discriminatory action, or the threat of an adverse or discriminatory action, including removal from a training facility, reduced coaching or training, reduced meals or housing, and removal from competition carried out against a Protected Individual as a result of any communication, including the filing of a formal complaint, by the Protected Individual or a parent or legal guardian of the Protected Individual relating to the allegation of physical abuse, sexual harassment, or emotional abuse, with the United States Center for SafeSport; a coach, trainer, manager, administrator, or official associated with the USOPC; the United States Attorney General; a federal or state law enforcement authority; the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission; or Congress. 

Retaliation also refers to any adverse or discriminatory action, or the threat of an adverse or discriminatory action, against any person who in good faith reports misconduct, and/or violations of the USOPC’s or NGBs’ Bylaws, policies, and procedures. Athletes who disclose information to or seek assistance from the Office of the Athlete Ombuds are also protected from retaliation as set forth in Section 22509(b)(5) of the Act. 

Retaliation Protection:

Athletes are afforded certain protections against retaliation including that no employee, contractor, agent, volunteer, or member of USAA or the USOPC shall take or threaten action against an athlete as a reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance from the Office of the Athlete Ombuds. Athletes should report instances of retaliation  to USOPC Ethics and Compliance. 

Other ATHLETE RESOURCES

• Team USA Athlete Eligibility
• Veteran Monthly Assistance Allowance for Disabled Veterans Training in Paralympic and Olympic Sports Program (VMAA)
• COVID Athlete Assistance Fund
• Mental Health
• High Performance Programs
• Medical
• Financial Resources
• Anti-Doping
• Career and Education
• Athlete Ombudsman
• USOPC Advisory Council
• Marketing