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Team USA Eligibility

The USOPC developed the Team USA Athlete Benefits Model to establish transparent eligibility criteria and a consistent process that outlines which USOPC Wellness Benefits athletes are eligible to receive and when, including through retirement. Athlete performance resources will continue to be allocated through the criteria set forth in the high performance plans in partnership with each NGB.

Team USA athletes are those who have been selected to represent the U.S. at a Delegation Event or a competition on the pathway to the Olympic or Paralympic Games as determined by their NGB.
Team USA Athlete Definition

Eligibility Criteria  

The Team USA Athlete Definition has been put into effect to determine which athletes are eligible for USOPC Wellness Benefits. The criteria listed below indicates how an individual would qualify as a Team USA Athlete. Once qualified, athletes will retain their status as a Team USA athlete and have access to Wellness Benefits for 10 years, with a few notable exceptions indicated below.

  • Competition Criteria

    1. Nominated to the U.S. Olympic or Paralympic Team; or
    2. Nominated to the U.S. Pan American Games or U.S. Parapan American Games Team; or
    3. Selected to represent the U.S. in a World Championships; or
    4. Selected to represent the U.S. in an international competition identified by their NGB as being on the pathway to an Olympic or Paralympic Games; or
    5. Earned a top world rank identified by their NGB as being on the pathway to Olympic or Paralympic Games

    *For criteria 3-5, athletes must compete in a sport discipline that is on the program for an upcoming Olympic or Paralympic Games.

    **World Rank does not apply to all sports. Please refer to the Sport-Specific Criteria document to see which sports include World Rank as part of their criteria.

    ***In weight class sports, athletes who meet the eligibility criteria in non-Olympic/Paralympic weight classes are eligible.

  • Are You a Team USA Athlete?

    If you can answer "Yes" to one or more of the following questions, you are a Team USA Athlete:

    1. Have you been nominated to represent the U.S. as part of a senior level Olympic or Paralympic Team within the last 10 years?
    2. Have you been nominated to represent the U.S. as part of a senior level Pan American Games or Parapan American Games Team within the last 10 years?
    3. Have you been selected to represent the U.S. as part of a World Championships Team in an event that is on the Olympic or Paralympic program in the last 10 years?
    4. Have you been selected to represent the U.S. at an international competition identified by your NGB as qualifying criteria for the Team USA Athlete Definition?
    5. Have you earned a top world rank identified by your NGB as qualifying criteria for the Team USA Athlete Definition?

    Still not sure if you are eligible? Click the link below to view your sport-specific qualifying criteria.

    Sport-Specific Criteria, opens in a new tab

Athlete Benefits Breakdown 

Team USA Athletes will be eligible for benefits as determined by their specific pathway. For Career, Education, Financial Wellness and Athlete Marketing benefits, athletes will have access to these resources for 10 years from their last qualifying event. Click on each drop down to see which resources available to Team USA Athletes.

Beginning for summer sports on January 1, 2026 and winter sports on July 1, 2026, Team USA Athlete eligibility will be used to determine which healthcare benefits athletes are eligible for. To learn more about the specific benefits and eligibility requirements for each, visit the USOPC Athlete Healthcare page.

Athlete Benefits FAQs 

Have more questions? Reach out to: athleteservices@usopc.org