2024 Impact Report:
Global Stewardship
At home and across the global sports community, the USOPC continued to lead with purpose in 2024. The organization elevated the voice of Team USA and helped shape the future of Olympic and Paralympic sport. One of the most significant achievements of the year came with the official selection of Salt Lake City, Utah as host of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – marking the Winter Games’ long-awaited return to U.S. soil after more than three decades and solidifying America's role as a cornerstone of the global Movement. The USOPC also deepened its influence by hosting international leaders, advancing diplomacy and championing athlete-first advocacy. A defining moment came during the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony, as the U.S. formally participated in the Los Angeles 2028 handover – signaling not just what’s next, but the strength of U.S. leadership on the world’s stage.
Explore Global Stewardship#
International Representation#
The USOPC was once again recognized as a leading force in international sport with the top spot in the Global Sport Power Index for the fifth straight year. With participation from more than 350 U.S. representatives across 10 international events, the organization expanded its reach and influence through strategic diplomacy in 2024. A major milestone came with the official announcement of Salt Lake City, Utah as host of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, furthering the United States’ vital role in shaping the future of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
IOC Elections
In 2024, the USOPC secured key international positions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). These new appointments to the IOC expand U.S. representation to four members, doubling the nation’s presence. With diverse perspectives and deep experience, this group will help shape the national and global strategies, values and vision for the future of sport and guide Team USA into its next era of growth.
New IOC Positions
IOC Member: Gene Sykes, USOPC President and Board Chair
IOC and IOC Athletes’ Commission Member: Allyson Felix, USOPC Board Member, Olympian
The USOPC also deepened its partnership with the IOC Refuge Foundation in 2024 to elevate the stories of displaced athletes and reaffirm sport as a force for hope and belonging. During the Games, Team USA House hosted an exclusive screening of We Dare to Dream, a documentary following the journeys of Olympic refugee athletes. The event welcomed more than 75 guests and featured a powerful panel discussion with athletes and global leaders. The evening highlighted the resilience of the human spirit and the role of sport in building bridges across borders and experiences. The USOPC also welcomed Yiech Pur Biel, a former Olympic refugee athlete, to its international relations team, furthering its commitment to the Sports for Refugees Coalition and inclusive global leadership.
Domestic Efforts#
Team USA’s impact resonated far beyond the field of play in 2024, drawing national recognition and support from the highest levels of U.S. leadership. The USOPC led four presidential delegations to Paris, reinforcing bipartisan commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic movements. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden led a seven-member delegation to the Olympic Opening Ceremony, followed by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff at the Closing Ceremony. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, led delegations to the Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, respectively.
Delegates engaged with athletes and families at Team USA House, the Welcome Experience and on-site competition venues. These moments helped build relationships and visibility across federal agencies, including the State Department, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NASA and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The USOPC conducted outreach to more than 2,500 congressional contacts, resulting in thousands of congratulatory letters to Team USA athletes. The year culminated in a celebratory Team USA Summit in Washington, D.C., where more than 200 athletes participated in professional development and career readiness workshops, bridging their Paris performances with future opportunities.
Leadership Recognition
Following a year defined by transformational impact across the Olympic and Paralympic landscape, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland was honored as Sports Business Journal’s Sports Executive of the Year at the 2025 Sports Business Awards. The prestigious award recognizes visionary leadership in sport and marked the first time a USOPC executive has received the honor.
Hirshland’s recognition reflects the USOPC’s strategic focus on athlete well-being, global influence and systemwide innovation, all of which came to life through record-breaking performance at Paris 2024, expanded athlete services and bold steps toward the long-term growth of the Movement. The award affirms the USOPC’s leadership not only within the Olympic and Paralympic community, but across the broader sports industry.
