USOC

Preparing athletes for 2010
The Olympic Complex is literally a hub of ac­tivity. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) established its main administration and train­ing programs in the center of the city. About 12 years ago, a dozen of USOC member orga­nizations relocated their national headquarters to the complex.

Additionally, 12 other member organizations and two international sports fed­erations are also located nearby.

The Olympic Complex, former home of the Air Force Base and the headquarters of the North American Defense Command, officially became the USOC ad­ministrative headquarters in July of 1978. About eight years later, the USOC opened its $23.8 million state-of-the-art sports medicine facility, a sport science and athletic center, which includes a dining hall and two residence halls. The organizational committee provides housing, dining, recreational facilities and other services for up to 557 coaches and athletes on the complex.

The USOC first began as a small group headed by James E. Sullivan, the founder of the Amateur Athletic Union, which entered American athletes in the inaugural Modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 1896. Dr. William Milligan Sloane served as the first president of the com­mittee in 1894. The formal committee, originally named the American Olympic Association (AOA), was formed at a meeting in November of 1921 at the New York Athletic Club.

Getting organized to govern athleticism

In 1940, the AOA changed its name to the United States of America Sports Federation and, in 1945, was modified to the United States Olympic Association. In 1961, when major constitutional revisions were made, the name of the USOA was again changed to its current name: the United States Olympic Committee. The USOC moved its headquarters from New York City to its present Colorado Springs site on July 1, 1978.

With the introduction of The Amateur Sports Act that same year, federal law appointed the USOC as the coordinating body of all Olympic-related activity in the U.S. That defined the orga­nization, leading the International Olympic Com­mittee to then recognize the USOC as the sole entity in the country able to enter U.S. teams into the Olympic and Pan American Games. The Act was revised in 1998 and is now known as The Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act. It includes provisions for recognizing the sport’s na­tional governing bodies, as well as requirements for governance councils. “The U.S. Olympic Team continues to be the most positively viewed sports property in the United States. And our country’s Olympians are consistently considered the best role models,” says Patrick Sandusky of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The Paralympic Division was created in 2001 and added to the USOC mission statement in 2003. In fact, the USOC is only one of four Na­tional Olympic Committees that operate both Olympic and Paralympic programs.  The most significant challenges, however, were address­ing the development of the Paralympic program within the USOC model.   

Structural changes a challenge

Like most organizations, the USOC felt the ef­fects of the recent economic downturn. There were cutbacks and the 2009 budget was “pur­posely conservative.”  The 2010 projected budget is $11.4 million, which will be funded through sponsors, donors and government support.  The USOC is working in all phases to grow Paralympic revenue sources.  “Fortunately, we were able to increase core funding for the athletes and coaches, as our leaders are de­termined to put the athletes first. Supporting America’s athletes goes to the organization’s core mission,” says Sandusky.

Pre-2003, however, there was not an entity focused on building the Paralympic program in the United States. “That changed significantly with the inclusion of Paralympic in the USOC mission statement.  Our primary challenges are to build a Paralympic grassroots athlete pipeline; increase support for elite athletes; enhance Paralympic brand awareness and increase investment and resources to support Paralympic sport,” explains Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics of the United States Olym­pic Committee (USOC).

Athlete-centric services

Athletes competing in the international arena have specialized needs. That’s why the USOC has created a department focused on the op­erational requirements, as well as services that enhance the performance of its Olympians. The USOC is a private, non-profit corporation. Approxi­mately 80 percent of its operating budget goes directly to Athlete Support Programs. “We rely on sponsorships and private donations to fund the organization, whereas other National Olympic Committees receive government funding,” tells Sandusky. The USOC currently has 25 official sponsors and, fortunately, the Olympic Move­ment has brought more value to sponsors than ever before. Much of the USOC’s revenue for the period of 2009-2012 is under contract with the sponsors, and U.S. television rights for the 2010 and 2012 Games are secure with NBC.

Bringing home the gold

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are one month away, and Ameri­can hopefuls are vying for coveted spots on Team USA. Between now and February 1, 2010, over 200 athletes will be nominated as the very best in biathlon, bobsled/skeleton, curling, figure skating, ice hockey, luge, ski and snow­board, as well as speedskating to represent the United States at the XXI Olympiad.

The American athletes and their coaches have done an excellent job preparing for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Currently, the USOC is sending ap­proximately 220 athletes to the Olympic Winter Games and 60 to the Paralympic Winter Games in February. “We are confident our teams will represent the United States with pride and honor, compete clean, and perform to the best of their ability,” says Sandusky.

 “There have already been numerous medals won by U.S. athletes at international competitions in the early stages of this winter season. We know our athletes will face tough competition at the Games, including from the host Canadians. Yet, Team USA will arrive in Vancouver well-prepared, ready to rise to their best, and capable of finishing on the podium,” he predicts.
 
Go Team USA, Go!

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