United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment Announces 2025 Award Winners
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by USOPC
USOPE to Honor Leaders Advancing the Olympic and Paralympic Movements
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment (USOPE) today announced the recipients of its four prestigious annual awards, which will be presented on December 10 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. This year’s honorees—Rich Bender, Tatyana McFadden, Greg Louganis, Dr. Sean McCann, and Dr. Cheri Blauwet—are recognized for extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
2025 Award Recipients
George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award — Rich Bender
Rich Bender, USA Wrestling’s longest-serving executive director, has led the organization since 2001 and guided Team USA through one of its most successful competitive eras. Under his leadership, the team earned 33 Olympic medals and well over 100 world championship medals, and reached historic milestones including the first U.S. women’s Olympic wrestling champion. He also oversaw record membership growth, strengthened financial stability, and advanced international governance and rule development.
William E. Simon Award — Tatyana McFadden & Greg Louganis
Tatyana McFadden, the most decorated U.S. Paralympic track and field athlete, has earned 22 Paralympic medals, 20 world championship medals, and 24 major marathon victories. Her advocacy has advanced disability inclusion nationwide, and she is now one medal away from becoming the most decorated track athlete in history.
Greg Louganis, widely regarded as the greatest diver of all time, made history by winning both springboard and platform gold at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. His decorated career includes five Olympic medals, five world championship titles, and a record 47 U.S. national titles. He is also a celebrated author, speaker, and advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health.
General Douglas MacArthur Award — Dr. Sean McCann
For more than 34 years, Dr. Sean McCann has served as a leading psychological services provider for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. He has supported national teams at 16 consecutive Olympic and Paralympic Games through mental-skills training and individual counseling. In 2025, he became the USOPC’s first Lead Psychological Services Provider for National Team Coaches, expanding mental health resources for coaches nationwide.
William J. Hybl Paralympic Contributor Award — Dr. Cheri Blauwet
Dr. Cheri Blauwet, a seven-time Paralympic medalist and senior physician executive, is the inaugural recipient of this new award. As Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Associate Professor at Northwestern University, she is a global leader in disability health, athlete safety, and inclusive sport. Her research includes injury prevention, athlete mental health, and the needs of female and disabled athletes. Blauwet has also served in leadership roles with the IPC, IOC, USOPC, and Boston Athletic Association.
About the United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment
Founded in 1984 to invest part of the surplus from the Los Angeles Olympic Games, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and its member organizations. Over four decades, the Endowment has grown to more than $260 million in net assets and awarded nearly $400 million in grants to strengthen Olympic and Paralympic sport across the United States.
For more information, visit usope84.org/awards