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U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Assembly Brings Team USA Stakeholders Together To Work Toward Common Goals

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by Bob Reinert, Red Line Editorial

Athletes, leaders, advocates, partners and stakeholders gathered at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Assembly this September in Salt Lake City.

 

Hosting the world for an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a monumental challenge. Doing it twice within six years is unprecedented in modern history.

And then throw in the continued efforts to support U.S. athletes working toward this coming year’s Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

Pulling it off won’t just take a village but rather the whole country.

That was the message last week as athletes, leaders, advocates, partners and stakeholders gathered in Salt Lake City for the 2025 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Assembly, an annual meeting meant to foster unity and dialogue between the various stakeholders within the Movement.

This year’s Assembly, held Sept. 23-28, included the usual groups, such as National Governing Bodies, the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association and the Affiliate Organizations Council. And with the 2028 Summer Games coming to Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Games headed for Utah, local organizers and leaders are serving increasingly important roles as well.

In their welcome letter to the Assembly, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland and Board of Directors Chair Gene Sykes urged Movement members to work as one unified Team USA over the next 10 years.

“This year, our program is centered on our collective potential to advance the Decade of Sport into a Decade of Impact — so that the next decade is not only one of achievement, but of lasting, shared progress,” Hirshland and Sykes wrote. “Getting there will require us to become more agile, more aligned and more resourced than ever before.”

The language served as a call to action for the diverse groups meeting together, all in support of Team USA and the advancement of sport.

Participants in Salt Lake City took part in an agenda that included joint sessions of constituent councils, networking receptions, panel discussions and a town hall general address from Hirshland and Gene Sykes.

A highlight of the Assembly is the annual USOPC awards reception, which took place Sept. 25 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, site of the Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002 Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

“This is an opportunity for us to be together,” Hirshland told those gathered for the ceremony. "And an opportunity for us, after a long day of meetings and discussions about how we can get better and how we can advance the Movement, tonight is about recognition and celebrating each other and celebrating our community.”

Group photo of 2025 USOPC Community Award Winners at award ceremony during the 2025 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Assembly
(Photo by USOPC/Mark Reis Photography)

OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC TORCH AWARD

The award recognizes an individual who has positively impacted the Olympic and Paralympic Movements and has contributed to promoting the Olympic and Paralympic Ideals throughout the U.S.

Recipient: Anita DeFrantz

DeFrantz is well known for her groundbreaking rowing career, which includes being an Olympic medalist and six-time national champion. However, her work outside of the boat — and her passion for the wellbeing and opportunities of athletes — has made a profound and lasting impact on the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

RINGS OF GOLD AWARDS

The awards — begun in 1996 — recognize individuals and programs dedicated to helping children develop their Olympic or Paralympic dreams and reach their highest athletic and personal potential.

Recipient: Andrew F. Barth

Barth has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless young athletes. As the founder of Beat the Streets Los Angeles and the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, Barth has provided wrestling opportunities to youth in underserved communities and supported elite wrestlers on their paths to international success.

Recipient: BlazeSports America Youth Programs

BlazeSports America’s Youth Adaptive Sports Program provides children with physical disabilities the opportunity to engage in sports, while supporting their development as athletes and individuals.

JACK KELLY FAIR PLAY AWARD

The award, established in 1985 to honor the late USOC President John B. (Jack) Kelly Jr., goes to an athlete, coach or official in recognition of an outstanding act of fair play and sportsmanship displayed during the past year.

Recipient: 2022 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team

During Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, U.S figure skaters finished second in the team event, behind Russia. After a Russian skater tested positive for a banned substance, no medals were awarded. When the Americans received their long-awaited gold medal during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, it was a triumph for Team USA and a victory for clean sport.

Recipient: 2025 U.S. Men’s National Ice Hockey Team

In August 2024, the hockey community lost Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were killed by a drunk driver while biking. Johnny Gaudreau was a cherished NHL player and a cornerstone of Team USA for many years. When the U.S. Men’s National Team won its first world championship in 92 years this spring, the Americans dedicated the title to Gaudreau.

DOROTHY FRANEY LANGKOP AMBASSADOR AWARD

The award, established in 2011 by the United States Olympians & Paralympians Association, recognizes an individual or a program associated with a U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Chapter that demonstrates the special spirit of Olympism, has illustrated the Olympic and Paralympic ideals through their actions, or has rendered outstanding services to the Olympic and Paralympic cause.

Recipient: Craig Gilbert

Gilbert, 1984 Olympian in team handball, served on the board of directors of the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association for eight years as president of one of USOPA’s most active chapters, representing New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Gilbert was also elected to the USOPA Executive Committee as a vice president and led numerous programs that engage and celebrate Olympians and Paralympians in their communities.

NGB CHOICE AWARDS

The awards go to two National Governing Bodies with the most impactful inclusion initiatives, as voted by their NGB peers.

Recipient: USRowing – United We Row Grant Program

The program provides cash grants to organizations striving to make their boathouses more inclusive by serving underrepresented communities in the sport of rowing.

Recipient: USA National Karate-Do Federation – Para-Karate International Competition Accessibility Path

The program provides the necessary financial resources for USA Karate national team Para-karate athletes and their families to attend and participate in international training camps and competitions.

NGBC TORCHBEARER AWARD

Created this year, the award honors an individual who has made the biggest impact throughout the previous year on the work of NGB leadership to support Olympic and Paralympic high performance.

Recipient: Casey Jorgensen, USA Hockey

Jorgensen, general counsel for USA Hockey, is admired for his exceptional dedication, collaboration and commitment to sport. Jorgensen provides policy guidance and support around the clock.

NGB SERVICE AWARDS

The USOPC appreciates the contributions of all our National Governing Body leaders and celebrates the following for their tenure guiding our Olympic & Paralympic Movement.

25 Years

Rich Bender — USA Wrestling

10 Years

Simon Hoskins — USA Field Hockey

5 Years

Aron McGuire — USA Bobsled/Skeleton

Lee Michaud — USA Diving

Molly Quinn — U.S. Association of Blind Athletes

Amanda Kraus — USRowing

 

Bob Reinert spent 17 years writing sports for The Boston Globe. He also served as a sports information director at Saint Anselm College and Phillips Exeter Academy. He is a contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.