Research
Path to Excellence
To continue to perform well at the international level, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee must, to some extent, seek ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of programs focused on talent identification and development. The Path to Excellence survey is one present method that aims to gain insight directly from elite athletes on their achievement of elite-level performance, on factors related to athlete identification and development.
The 2014 study mimics the original Path to Excellence survey that was conducted with Olympians from 1984-1998. In addition to gathering information on the athletic development of U.S. Olympians, the USOPC coaching education division also intended to discover if after 15 years, there were any discrepancies between survey findings in terms of what athletes report about their development and the factors contributing to their success.
The Path to Excellence: Current Survey (2014)
A current view on the athletic development of U.S. Olympians who competed from 2000-12
The Path to Excellence: Initial Survey (1984-1998)
A comprehensive view of development of U.S. Olympians who competed from 1984-1998
Reflections on Success (1984-1998)
U.S. Olympians describe the success factors and obstacles that most influenced their Olympic development
NCAA/USOPC Task Force
In September 2005, the NCAA/USOPC Task Force developed recommendations to protect and expand opportunities for American student-athletes and coaches to realize the benefits associated with participation in collegiate athletic sports that are traditionally included in the program for the Olympic Games.