A LETTER FROM USOPA PRESIDENT
Jackie Washington Track & Field • 1984
Hello USOPA Family,
We have some incredible news to share this quarter—big enhancements and bold initiatives are on the horizon! Every third Wednesday of the month, our Executive Committee meets to explore new ways to expand our reach and better serve Olympians and Paralympians. We hit the ground running in our Q1 meetings by identifying initiatives for each member of our Executive Committee to lead as we continue to strive for a better, more engaged USOPA. We remain committed to enhancing engagement, restoring chapters, and improving our alumni database to ensure every member feels valued and connected. As we power forward in pursuit of improvement, I will continue to update you on those results and our progression.
Welcome Our New Director!
A huge congratulations to our new Alumni Relations Director, Kara Winger! A four-time Olympian, Kara brings her passion, leadership, and dedication to the Olympic and Paralympic movement. We are thrilled to have her guiding us forward!
Looking Ahead to Milano-Cortina 2026 & LA 2028!
We are less than one year away from the Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026, and the excitement is building! Shortly after, we will be on home soil for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The road ahead is bright, and as always, the U.S. is home to some of the world’s best athletes. Your USOPA is dedicated to helping them shine and bring home the gold!
A Historic Investment in Our Athletes’ Futures
In groundbreaking news, the USOPC and USOPF announced a $100 million donation from Ross Stevens to provide long-term financial support for Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Beginning with the 2026 Games, each athlete will receive $200,000 per Games appearance, with no cap. The first half will be accessible 20 years after the Games or at age 45, and the remaining funds will go to their families after their passing. This is a transformative step toward securing financial stability for generations of athletes. You can read more about this on page 26.
Advancing Women’s Health in Sports
In another historic collaboration, Australia, the U.S., the U.K., and New Zealand have joined forces to form the Global Alliance for Female Athletes (GAFA). This initiative unites top health experts and sports scientists to provide free, cutting-edge research to athletes, coaches, and support staff. With a focus on improving health literacy and addressing conditions like endometriosis and dysmenorrhea, GAFA is paving the way for stronger, healthier female athletes worldwide. Learn more about this alliance to advance women’s sport via this link.
Together, We Rise
These exciting developments reaffirm our mission— to serve, support, and celebrate Olympians and Paralympians. With your continued dedication, we will elevate the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, build lasting legacies, and ensure a bright future for all athletes. Let’s move forward together and make history!
ALUMNI RELATIONS UPDATE
Dear fellow USOPA Members,
Kara here, 4x Olympian and three-week member of the Team Behind the Team after retiring from Athletics in January. Let me introduce myself by telling you my story; why I care so much about stewarding our mission.
I wonder how many of you feel the same way I do: My sport chose me. A joyful multi-sport athlete, when my geometry teacher suggested I throw the javelin my freshman year of high school, I said, “I don’t know what that is, but sure, I’ll try.” Twenty years, two American Records, four Olympic Games, and a last-ditch world championship silver medal later, I could not be more grateful for the worldview that sport provided me, the lifelong friendships with teammates that I treasure, and a deep, resounding peace that, despite no Olympic finals on my resume, tells me I gave it everything I had.
The thing that always kept me coming back, through injuries and sub-par performances, was the incredible community that we belong to. Every one of us has a genuine connection with at least one other human being on the other side of the world that, miraculously, grew up to play the same sport. All of us can think of a competitor and/or teammate who, even if they didn’t know it, demonstrated something we wanted to see in ourselves, on or off the field of play. A self-described introvert, the Tokyo COVID Games were my favorite ones: The forced togetherness (read: the inability to leave!) of that Team USA was a phenomenon I hadn’t known I’d been craving. Eleven months after my second career ACL tear, I needed the reminder that this community gets it. Fellow Olympians and Paralympians, only we know what saying your biggest dreams out loud, striving so hard for them, and then either winning or failing in front of the whole world, USA on your chest and rings or agitos waving, feels like.
Connection, community, support, mutual inspiration, and simply doing my best each day, each moment. Those are the goals that always drove me as an athlete. In so many ways, I feel like this role also chose me, and just like with the javelin, I am immediately loving it right back. Connecting with you, telling your real stories, and celebrating the impact you have made on our world are my driving factors.
My inbox is open! I’m so honored to be here for you.
Kara Winger Director, Alumni Relations kara.winger@usopc.org
(719) 606-9834
IOC PRESIDENT ANNOUNCEMENT
KIRSTY COVENTRY ELECTED 10TH IOC PRESIDENT AT 144TH IOC SESSION IN GREECE
Recently announced by the IOC, Kirsty Coventry was elected as the next president of the International Olympic Committee at the 144th IOC Session held in Costa Navarino, Greece. This announcement marked an important day for our Olympic and Paralympic community here in the United States and around the world.
Kirsty will become the 10th IOC president, and first woman to lead the organization, when she assumes office in June 2025.
All four American members of the IOC – Anita DeFrantz, Allyson Felix, David Haggerty and Gene Sykes – were in attendance and voted in the election.
As an Olympic champion, Kirsty proudly represented Zimbabwe and upheld the values of sport for all the world to celebrate. As a committed leader in the sport community, including her time as Chair of IOC Athletes’ Commission, she worked to fortify support for athletes from all nations who serve as the foundation of the Olympic Movement. Her experience as a student-athlete at Auburn University offered her unique insights into opportunities for aspiring Olympians and Paralympians from the United States and around the world – as well as unique perspective into our sporting culture, and the work of the USOPC and the national governing bodies to grow and maintain a pipeline that supports elite athletes well into the future.
As we embark on a transformative decade in sport here in the United States, including hosting the LA28 and Utah 2034 Games, collaboration and coordination with the IOC will be more important than ever. We are thrilled to be working with Kirsty, the IOC staff and the IOC membership who serve as friends and partners in that effort.
We are thankful to the seven candidates who brought innovative ideas and passion to the election process – all in the name of making the Olympic Movement stronger.
We also want to take this moment to recognize the service of President Thomas Bach, who has led the IOC for 12 years, and been a friend of the USOPC and the athletes of the world. While his steady hand was needed most to overcome significant challenges presented by a global pandemic, his term will be remembered for a recovery of the Movement that finds us well positioned for future growth and success. For that, and for his unwavering support of global sport, we are grateful. We join the IOC membership in congratulating him on being elected Honorary President for Life.
We look forward to working with Kirsty and exploring ways for her to engage with all of you in the coming months.
The future of the Olympic and Paralympic movements is bright, and we are excited to celebrate this momentum together.
STAY CONNECTED
Update your contact information and stay in the know of all things USOPA. From providing valued services and support to networking with established alumni and beyond –We are here for you!
MILAN CORTINA THE COUNTDOWN
We are less than one year from the start of the Olympic & Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina 2026. More than 2,500 athletes from 93 countries will be competing for 195 medals in 16 Olympic sports and six Paralympic sports, covering an area of nearly 10,000 square miles.
The 2026 Games will be the most widespread Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games ever!
Olympic Games
February 6-22, 2026 Paralympic
March 6-15, 2026
LEGACY ON ICE TRIBUTE
U.S. Figure Skating, in tandem with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, DC Fire & EMS Foundation and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, hosted the Legacy on Ice benefit event, paying tribute to those who died in the American Airlines plane crash on Jan. 29, which included a group of U.S. figure skaters. All proceeds from the event went towards charitable efforts to support those affected by the crash, including money shared directly with the 67 families who were directly affected.
In front of a sellout crowd of over 15,000 people, more than 40 current and retired Team USA skaters participated, including co-hosts of the event 1992 Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and 1988 Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano.
Legacy on Ice cast members:
Jeremy Abbott 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
Sofia Bezkorovainaya 2024-25 Team USA
Brian Boitano 1988 Olympic Champion
Emily Bratti & Ian Somerville 2024 U.S. Bronze Medalists
Jason Brown 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
Ashley Cain Two-Time U.S. Pairs National Champion
Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponomarenko Two-Time Four Continents Ice Dance Bronze Medalists
Kitty & Peter Carruthers 1984 Olympic Pairs Silver Medalists
Molly Cesanek & Yehor Yehorov 2020 U.S. Junior Pewter Medalists
Nathan Chen Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
Madison Chock & Evan Bates 2022 Olympic Team Gold Medalists
Richard Dwyer U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer
Alisa Efimova & Misha Mitrofanov 2025 U.S. Pairs
Champions
Sarah Everhardt 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist
Peggy Fleming 1968 Olympic Champion
Amber Glenn 2024 Grand Prix Final Champion
Gracie Gold 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
Scott Hamilton 1984 Olympic Champion
Nancy Kerrigan 1994 Olympic Silver Medalist
Ilia Kulik 1998 Olympic Champion
Isabeau Levito 2024 World Silver Medalist
Alysa Liu 2022 World Bronze Medalist
Jimmy Ma 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist
Ilia Malinin 2024 World Champion
Katie McBeath & Daniil Parkman 2025 U.S. Pairs Silver Medalists
Yebin Mok 1998-2008 Team USA
Maxim Naumov 2025 U.S. Pewter Medalist
Camden Pulkinen Two-Time U.S. Bronze Medalist
Andrew Torgashev 2025 U.S. Silver Medalist
Michael Weiss Two-Time World Bronze Medalist
Johnny Weir Three-Time U.S. Champion
Paul Wylie 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist
RELIVE THE HEARTFELT TRIBUTE HERE.
CHAPTER SPOTLIGHTS
DALLAS/FORT WORTH
USOPA CHAPTER
Every Olympiad, the DFW USOPA Chapter hosts an Opening Ceremony Party where they celebrate the Olympic & Paralympic Games and honor Olympians & Paralympians for their achievements.
In celebration of the Paris 2024 Games, DFW welcomed members of its USOPA Chapter for a fun gathering where 1952 and 1956 Track & Field Olympic gold medalist Thane Baker and 2024 Badminton silver medalists Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon were recognized!
Miles and Jayci were two of seven athletes that the DFW USOPA Chapter financially sponsored during the Paris Games, and two of 30 athletes that have been financially sponsored by the Chapter during the last five Olympiads.
OREGON USOPA CHAPTER
Robert Zagunis (Rowing, 1976) was recognized with a standing ovation by 300+ at an Oregon State Rowing banquet as he received the Oregon Chapter of the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association Alumni Award of Excellence recognizing athletic alumni who utilize the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship and the Paralympic values of determination, equality, inspiration, and courage to make a positive contribution not just on the fields of play but also to their greater community in their post competitive lives.
After competition he entered a successful career in the private investment and banking industry provided him the expertise to empower and support Olympic sports. He’s invested his time, talent, and treasure into making a difference.
As President of the USA Fencing Foundation for more than eight years, Robert reorganized the Foundation to successfully support Olympic hopeful fencers. Retiring from that leadership a couple of years ago, his impact is seen as essential to the success of the USA Fencing Foundation’s ability to support Olympic hopefuls.
Robert continues his passion for his sport of rowing by helping launch and continuing as a Trustee of the US Rowing Foundation. Robert’s experience at USA Fencing has helped rowing support training for elite rowers and Olympic hopefuls.
Robert and his family recently helped create the Zagunis Family Embedded Scientist position, enabling US Rowing to hire dedicated staff to collect performance analytics in efforts to strengthen athletes and accomplish goals going forward.
Like many athletes Robert is multidimensional, Philanthropy is a consistent theme, as demonstrated serving on the Board of the World Masters Games and a trustee and president of the Japanese Garden Society of Portland.
Robert provides leadership through example – he’s been a mentor to daughter, Mariel Zagunis, a gold medalist and five-time Olympian, encouraging and helping her establish her own foundation, the Mariel Zagunis Women’s Sabre Fund to help support women in fencing.
Robert’s determination, excellence, and inspiration in Olympic sports speak for themselves, providing examples for fellow Olympians past and future, and athletes of all ages to give back to their sport and their community.
The Oregon Chapter of the US Olympians and Paralympians Association is proud to present the Alumni Award of Excellence to Robert Zagunis.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA USOPA CHAPTER
A huge shoutout to our SCOPA Chapter for a busy 2024 with various alumni engagement events that celebrated and honored our Olympians & Paralympians in SoCal!
SCOPA members celebrating 2024 Olympic + Paralympic Day at the Annual Angel City Games.
SCOPA members having a blast at LA84’s Annual Block Party and Play Day with youth of Los Angeles.
40th anniversary party with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and a who’s-who of Olympic + Paralympic legends.
40th anniversary of the 1984 Los Angeles Games hosted by the LA84 Foundation.
More fun at the LA Games’ 40th anniversary gala.
Olympians + Paralympians paddling around in outrigger canoes at SCOPA’s beach party in Newport Beach.
SCOPA members at the annual beach party.
SoCal Olympians + Paralympians partying at SCOPA’s annual holiday brunch at Duke’s Restaurant (named after Olympian Duke Kahanamoku) on the beautiful Huntington Beach.
Olympic + Paralympic Flag installation ceremony at the Los Angeles City Hall with Mayor Karen Bass and Chairman of the LA28 Games Casey Wasserman.
After the holiday brunch, SoCal Olympians + Paralympians were treated to a private tour with surfing legend PT Townend at the International Surfing Museum.
PIVOT PROGRAM
Finding New Ground: Pivot Program Empowers Team USA Athletes in Life After Sport
The roar of the crowd fades, the finish line recedes, and a new chapter begins. For nine Team USA athletes, representing eight diverse sports and ranging in age from 26 to 35, the Pivot Program offered a powerful bridge into life after competition. This transformative four-day, three-night in-person retreat at The Painted Turtle in Lake Hughes, California, provided a safe and supportive space to navigate the complex emotions and uncertainties of their recent athletic retirement.
More than just a workshop, Pivot was a journey of selfdiscovery. Participants delved into personal development,
exploring their values, reframing their identities, and understanding the emotional landscape of transition. Through meaningful discussions, facilitated activities, and tools like MBTI assessments, athletes gained invaluable insights into themselves and their potential beyond sport.
“The Pivot program gave me the reflection, tools, and vision needed to focus on my values and priorities in life after sport,” shared one participant. Another reflected, “The Pivot Program creates space and facilitation to explore what sport meant, how it shaped me, and how to carry lessons learned, relationships created, and experiences into the next stages of life.”
The impact was profound. Athletes connected with peers facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding. Three experienced table coaches, former Team USA athletes themselves and Pivot alumni, provided invaluable guidance and support, creating a powerful circle of mentorship.
The program’s reach extends far beyond the retreat. For six months following the in-person experience, participants engage in monthly virtual meetings, ensuring
continued support and accountability as they implement the tools and insights gained. This ongoing connection reinforces the program’s commitment to empowering athletes throughout their transition.
“The Pivot Program is an invaluable experience that every Team USA athlete transitioning through retirement should participate in,” one athlete passionately stated.
Pivot is more than a program; it’s a launchpad for a fulfilling life beyond sport. If you’re a Team USA athlete considering retirement, in the process, or recently retired, we encourage you to explore this life-changing opportunity.
Pivot is more than a program; it’s a launchpad for a fulfilling life beyond sport. If you’re an eligible Team USA athlete considering retirement, in the process, or recently retired, we encourage you to explore this lifechanging opportunity.
THE PODIUM
Welcome to The Podium, a quarterly spotlight of life updates, career or personal milestones, and more from USOPA members across the country. This is an opportunity to stay connected with fellow alumni who choose to take the podium and give us an inside look into their lives!
Willie
Banks, OLY
Track & Field • 1980, ‘84, ‘88
After attending the Simplot Games for the past 10 or so years, Willie Banks once again returned for the 2025 competition held in February. His passion for the event earned him the 2025 Spirit of the Games Award!
Keturah Orji, OLY
Track & Field • 2016, ‘20, ‘24
“My blog about why I decided to retire seemed to resonate with a lot of other athletes and possibly provide clarity for some as they were navigating similar feelings about retirement. My hope is to shine more light on this topic by sharing my experience with each of you.”
Bobby Body, PLY
Para-Powerlifting • 2024
Tune in to a recent Keep the Flame Alive podcast episode featuring ParaPowerlifter, Bobby Body. At age 50, Bobby competed in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games - his first Games –where he finished fourth in the Men’s 107kg weight class. In the podcast, Bobby talks about setbacks ahead of Paris, his noncompetition experiences at the Paralympic Games, and exciting news on what’s to come!
Listen here: Keep the Flame Alive Podcast featuring Bobby Body Rory Cooper, PLY
Para Track & Field • 1988 Paralympian and USOPA Executive Committee member, Rory Cooper, was recently featured in the Investor’s Business Daily for his constant innovation of new ways to help people with physical challenges.
Meghan Musnicki, OLY
Rowing • 2012, ‘16, ‘20, ‘24
“The Olympic Games Paris 2024 marked my fourth competition. I am the oldest rower, male or female, to compete at an Olympic Games for Team USA. I won gold in 2012 and 2016 and was a member of the U.S. 8+ for the last 7 of 11 years (2010-2016) they went undefeated!”
Read the full article here: Paralympics Champ Rory Cooper Became The Wizard of Wheelchairs
Billy Mills, OLY
Track & Field • 1964
Mary Wineberg, OLY
Track & Field • 2008
Billy Mills is a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribal Nation and is also known by his Lakota name, Tamakoce Te’Hila, translating to “Loves His Country” or more traditionally “Respects the Earth.” He is an Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000-meter run at the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964. His Olympic victory is considered one of the greatest sports moments of all time. He remains the only athlete from the western hemisphere to ever win the Olympic 10,000-meter race. Billy was orphaned at an early age, his mother joining their ancestors when Billy was 8 years of age and his father when Billy was 12 years of age. Before his father passed, he told Billy, “You have broken wings son, and it takes a dream to heal. Find your dream and it will take you down a path introducing you to your passions in life. Find your passion, develop your skills to equal your passion and magic can happen! One or more of the magical things you do in life just may be looked upon as a miracle son.” Due to his father’s teachings, Billy’s life is based upon dreams and the resilience of his ancestors. Their resilience and their footprints are present in Billy’s journey today as National Spokesperson for Running Strong for American Indian Youth, which Billy cofounded in 1986. Recently Billy co-authored a book titled ‘Wings of an Eagle’, a children’s book for all ages. This autobiographical tale of Billy Mills’ awe-inspiring flight to a record-breaking gold medal is co-authored with Donna Janell Bowman and breathtakingly illustrated by award winning Lakota artist SD Nelson. This book is a soaring testament to Billy’s legacy and the Lakota prayer: We are all related. ‘Wings of an Eagle’ received the 2025 Robert F. Sibert Honor Award from the American Library Association among other Awards.
Mary Wineberg, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the Women’s 4x400 meter relay, takes pride in being able to further advance youth in literacy and empowerment. Mary recently had the opportunity to talk to second graders at Hyde Park Elementary School in Cincinnato, Ohio for the wrap up of Black History Month where she shared her journey of never giving up, what it means to be an Olympian/athlete and how she continues to persevere in her current life as a speaker and author. The students were impressed with her journey, her different shared stories and the ability to participate in their own reenacted Olympic race. Mary loves giving back and with her business, Secure Your Gold, she is able to do so in many different ways!
John Mulholland, OLY
Bobsled • 1972
“At the ripe age of 82, I am giving tours of the Mt. Vanhovenberg Olympic Venues in Lake Placid – Cross Country, Skiing, Biathlon, Luge, Skeleton and Bobsled. I am able to pass on my love for these sports through doing these tours! I am proud to be an old Olympian!”
Jack Elder, OLY
Luge • 1972
Jack Elder presented a $35,000 donation to Portland Oregon’s Sellwood Boathouse as a matching donation on behalf of his non-profit, Oregon Sports Action, to rebuild the boathouse deck. Elder’s nonprofit was founded in 1983 in effort of assisting with the development of Olympic sport in Oregon, and this donation is just one example of the impact he’s made!
THE PODIUM
Peter Bos, OLY Rowing • 1960
I’m an 86-year-old Navy vet who rowed in the U.S. eight-oared shell in the Olympic Games Rome 1960. The U.S. eight-oared crew that year was the Naval Academy eight. That team — seven members still alive and in their mid 80s — produced four cold war submariners, a career Marine Corp officer and four Naval aviators who flew missions over North Viet Nam in the 60s.
After the final race at the Olympic Games my counterpart competitor on the gold medal winning German team, Kraft Schepke, and I agreed to exchange racing shirts (above). Except for our periodic US team reunions,
Kraft’s shirt lay in a trunk for more than 50 years until the repeated sight of it prompted me to find Kraft. In 2013, after making contact, I mailed the shirt back to Kraft, stating that I thought his children should be the ones who should have his gold medal shirt. We soon visited each other and became close friends. And then in our 80s we became teammates, winning the World Masters Rowing Championship in our age group (8085) in a four without, with a Norwegian, two Americans, and the German oarsman Kraft. We viewed that race as representing not any one country, but our generation in the name of respect for competition, international cooperation and peace.
The flow of the story is a tale of two distinct, yet parallel lives that converged, parted and met again. As children our countries were at war with each other. In our youth we were Olympic competitors. And in older age we become close friends and ultimately teammates. Working with a gifted writing friend I co-created an
illustrated book (titled “After the Race”) about this story. It targets youths in the 8-14 age range but also appeals at some level to all ages. The former Chief of U.S. Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, a former Navy oarsman, wrote the Foreword for the book. “I suppose no one appreciates the idea of mutual respect and international cooperation more than the military leaders who spend their lives fighting for peace.” The message in the book is important and strongly reinforces the mission of the Olympic Games.
THE PODIUM
Josh Sweeney, PLY
Sled Hockey • 2014
Nordic Skiing • 2022
Nampa Paralympian sells adaptive sports equipment all over US
Finding a way to do competitive sports, sweat and have an outlet for frustrations has been transformative for Nampa resident Josh Sweeney. And he took that outlet well beyond the hobby level, eventually becoming a Paralympic gold medalist, coach, and now builder of adaptive sport equipment for others.
The 37-year-old Marine veteran lost both his legs when he stepped on an IED on deployment in Afghanistan in 2009, and while recovering in the hospital he was approached by the veteran nonprofit Semper Fi & America’s Fund. The nonprofit aims to help veterans and service members who were “critically wounded, ill and injured” and provided support for Sweeney’s family when he was in the hospital.
“I think being able to give back to athletics allowed me the ability to see what I was capable of still after being injured,” Sweeney said recently in his Nampa garage/ workshop. “... I think that competitive drive is what really kept me, or keeps me, sane day-to-day.”
Sweeney scored the winning goal for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team to bring home the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games gold medal. He still competes for Team USA in Nordic skiing and the biathlon and coaches for those sports as well as for triathletes.
He’s also about a year into a new adventure — running JS Adaptive Sports to create customized adaptive equipment, such as cross country/Nordic ski frames and mechanisms to adapt handcycles. His business venture is also supported by Semper Fi & America’s Fund.
Sweeney works out of his garage, fulfilling orders for athletes from all over the U.S. and some internationally. Most people find him through word-of-mouth and through his involvement in so many adaptive sport settings. Sweeney recently traveled to Canada to coach a development team, and around five athletes who attended used ski frames he built.
“A lot of adaptive equipment is very expensive, and it’s also very custom,” Sweeney said. “So I’m trying to essentially fill the hole that’s in the middle of being affordable, and also provides what you need.”
Many athletes and nonprofits using this kind of equipment rely on grants to pay for them.
His Wahoo Kickr Flip, which allows a handcycle to be used as a stationary trainer, is $750. A Nordic sit ski fixed frame ranges upward from $750, and a new product he just designed and began selling, an adjustable Nordic sit ski frame, starts at $1,000.
Sweeney said the adjustable frame design came about because he realized there are very few
“And you don’t truly get to explore, is this a good position for me to be skiing in? Or is there a better position? That’s where I think trying new things within the sport to see what happens can be beneficial.”
Thinking about this resulted in a strike of inspiration in his garage, and now he’s been selling the new style of frame for about three months.
Before running the business, Sweeney got started by trying to make equipment for himself.
“I always liked tinkering, but I wasn’t really into making things,” he said.
While trying to make equipment for himself, Sweeney turned to friends who were engineers and fabricators who worked with him to figure out how to craft what he needed. He said those friends still help him work through tough questions.
“It’s been a lot of tinkering and learning over the last 10 years until I finally felt like I was in a place that I could make something without feeling worried about having someone using it,” Sweeney said.
He recently made himself a custom kneeler so he could handcycle the Rebecca’s Private Idaho race, a multi-day gravel race in Sun Valley, for his third time.
Although much of his time is spent working on fulfilling equipment orders, he’s still focused on competing as well.
In early January, he traveled to to West Yellowstone to compete in the sit ski national race series and biathlon nationals. In February, he coached athletes at the 2025 Invictus games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.
He also uses the equipment to go skiing, play wheelchair basketball, and bike with his kids, who are ages 7 and 9.
“They’ll jump on their bikes and we’ll ride around the neighborhood together,” he said. “Being able to just make those pieces that I need to be able to do that stuff with them is really cool.”
SHARE YOUR STORY
Step up to The Podium and share your life updates, career milestones, and more with our USOPA community. Submissions will be featured on the Team USA alumni website and in the USOPA quarterly magazine.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month Spotlight: Eddie Tolan
At the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1932, Eddie Tolan made history by becoming the first Black American athlete to win two gold medals at a single Olympic Games. Tolan triumphed in both the 100 and 200-meter
of widespread segregation and discrimination. Eddie Tolan’s 1932 running singlet and shorts, as well as one of his two gold medals, are currently on loan to the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, and on exhibition in Gallery One.
SEE TEAM USA’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHT HERE
sprints, defeating the overall favorite and his American teammate, Ralph Metcalfe, in both events. His victories made him only the third athlete in history to win gold in both the 100 and 200-meter races at the same Olympic Games. Tolan’s achievements were groundbreaking, as they not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also helped pave the way for future Black athletes in track and field, breaking racial barriers during a time
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Women’s History Month
Spotlight: Gretchen Fraser and Andrea Mead-Lawrence
Team USA’s past boasts no shortage of pioneering women both on and off the field of play, and trying to choose just one to honor for Women’s History Month proved too difficult. So, the Archives chose two: Gretchen Fraser and Andrea Mead-Lawrence, both of whom helped pave the way for American women’s excellence on the slopes. (They’re also U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Famers… no biggie!)
Fraser and Mead-Lawrence made their Olympic debuts at the Olympic Winter Games St. Moritz 1948at different stages of their careers. Mead-Lawrence was just 15 years old and new on the international scene, while Fraser had earned recognition years prior. In fact, Fraser had been set to compete at the 1940 Olympic Winter Games (cancelled due to WWII). The eight-year delay proved no obstacle when she clinched a gold in slalom and a silver in downhill combined, becoming the first American –male or female – to medal in the sport.
Mead-Lawrence and Fraser again travelled to the Games in 1952, this time at Oslo (Mead-Lawrence in her second Olympic appearance and Fraser as women’s team manager). The now 19-year-old Mead-Lawrence won gold in giant slalom by a wide margin, but the battle was
harder won on the slalom course. Despite falling on the first run, she had a near-perfect second run that earned another gold. She remains the only American to win two alpine skiing golds at a single Games.
Recalling her historic bounce-back, Mead-Lawrence said: “When I took off for the second run, I was released as the full force and energy of who I am as a person. In a way, the second run was a perfect run. There are few times in our lives where we actually become the thing we’re doing.” This Women’s History Month, we invite you to celebrate the women in sport and in your lives who embody the same spirit and tenacity.
Team USA Athletes Named to USA Today’s 2025 Women of the Year List
Paralympian Scout Bassett and Olympian Ilona Maher were both named to USA TODAY’s 2025 Women of the Year list, an annual recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. This year’s list includes 61 women from across the country.
ANDREA MEAD-LAWRENCE
Paralympian Scout Bassett faced adversity on the long road to the Paralympic Games Rio 2016, but her journey didn’t end there. She was recognized this year for her work as a spokesperson for representation of visible disabilities, in addition to her work to increase visibility and equity for athletes at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. She recently started the Scout Bassett Fund, which bridges a financial gap for Paralympic athletes, and serves as president of the Billie Jean King-founded Women’s Sports Foundation and as a member of the LA28 Athletes’ Commission.
Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher was recognized for her authenticity on and off the field of play. Watch this video of her talking about how she got into the sport of rugby and about the importance of her body positive social media presence.
ILONA MAHER
FOUNDATION
Transformative gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Ross Stevens addresses critical financial challenges for athletes, empowering them to shape their futures beyond sport
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide unprecedented financial support to the athletes who have committed their lives to represent the United States in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The new program has been made possible by the bold vision and $100 million anchor funding gift to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) from Ross Stevens, long-time Team USA supporter and Founder & CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group.
“In the heart of every Team USA athlete lies a story of dedication, sacrifice and triumph,” said USOPC Chair Gene Sykes. “These extraordinary individuals have committed their lives to their sport, often at the expense of traditional career paths and financial savings. As they approach the end of their competitive journeys—often as young as 25 or 30—many face a daunting reality: the lack of financial savings to support them and their loved ones in their post-athletic life.”
The Stevens Financial Security Awards (Stevens Awards) provide U.S. Olympians and Paralympians significant financial benefits in the post-athletic period of their lives, both in terms of income and benefits for their families and beneficiaries. The awards empower their dreams while building peace of mind for the future beyond their time representing Team USA.
“Because of Ross’ extraordinary generosity and philanthropic creativity,” Sykes continued, “we can create more than a financial safety net— we can build a springboard that will propel these athletes to even greater heights beyond their Olympic and Paralympic careers.”
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the ultimate symbol of human excellence. I do not believe that financial insecurity should stop our nation’s elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers of excellence,” said Stevens. “Team USA athletes, extraordinary individuals, have proven they can achieve greatness and represent our incredible country with pride. The Stevens Awards honor the sacrifices they have made on behalf of all Americans while inspiring the development of their dreams in the post-Games chapter of their lives.”
The Stevens Financial Security Award: A Transformative Initiative
Anchored by Stevens’ historic $100 million gift—the largest gift in the USOPC’s history—the Stevens Awards will provide economic stability for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Starting with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milan-Cortina 2026, and going at least through the 2032 Games, every U.S. Olympian and Paralympian will receive $200,000 in financial benefits for each Games in which they compete:
• $100,000 to Live: eligible athletes will be able to access this award 20 years after their qualifying Games or at 45 years of age, whichever is later. The grant will be paid over the course of four years and can be used for any purpose, such as starting a business or supporting their families.
• $100,000 to Protect: eligible athletes will receive a guaranteed benefit for their families or chosen beneficiaries upon their death.
• Multiplier effect: eligible athletes will receive $200,000 in benefits for each Games in which they compete. For instance, an athlete competing in three Olympic or Paralympic Games would receive $600,000 in benefits.
The program combines the power of compounding—the idea that money invested today can grow exponentially over very long periods—with the power of guaranteed benefits made possible by life insurance.
“Ross’ gift is extremely innovative in its design. It is not only the size of the gift but also that Ross personally designed it to meet the needs of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, both in terms of current income and ultimate protection for their families. The mission of Ross’ firm is to provide financial security for all. Here, he applies his creativity in finance to achieve that same goal for our country’s most elite athletes,” said Ted Mathas, Senior Advisor to Stone Ridge and former CEO and Chairman of New York Life.
Stevens’ gift continues his track record of innovation in philanthropy, which includes establishing the first fintech center at a major business school (Wharton), transforming the PhD program for the outstanding business school students at the University of Chicago (Booth), and using bitcoin to empower human rights activists in authoritarian countries.
A Call to Action for Our Community
On March 4, Sykes took the stage at the Stone Ridge Annual Conference to unveil the program and Stevens’ groundbreaking gift. In his words, “The USOPC is committed to supporting the dreams of Team USA athletes and hopefuls as they strive to represent the U.S. at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are profoundly grateful for the extraordinary gift from Ross Stevens which highlights how philanthropy can fundamentally change the lives of athletes.”
Stevens added, “Admiration of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians is uniquely bipartisan, uniting all Americans, and reminding us of our shared humanity.” Stevens also announced that Stone Ridge will match the contribution of any Stone Ridge employee to this incredible program dollar for dollar, hoping to inspire other firms to follow Stone Ridge’s lead.
Sykes and Stevens issued a call to action for additional financial support, whereby the program will live forever and support every generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to come.
One of the most powerful aspects of the gift stems from the observation that 60% of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic medals are won by athletes who participated in previous Games. By providing financial support for athletes so they can continue competing and by increasing that support for each Games in which they compete, the Stevens Awards will dramatically increase the likelihood that athletes will continue competing, and winning, for America.
About the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Team USA athletes on and off the field of play. As the fundraising arm of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the USOPF generates philanthropic support to empower Team USA athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence and well-being. Since its inception in 2013, the USOPF has raised over $460 million for Team USA athletes and programs, significantly contributing to the development and success of U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and hopefuls.
The foundation’s efforts have led to substantial advancements, including an expanded mental health program that now encompasses hundreds of providers offering both in-person and virtual counseling. Additionally, 40 national sport organizations have benefited from donor-funded technology and data projects, providing Team USA with a competitive edge. The foundation has also supported countless athletes with tuition assistance, enabling them to pursue higher education alongside their athletic endeavors.
USOPM
America’s Athletes. Your Museum.
As Olympic and Paralympic alumni, you are the reason this Museum exists—a living tribute to the legacy you’ve created through dedication, perseverance, and excellence.
Your stories are the heartbeat of the Museum. Every exhibit, every artifact, and every visitor’s experience reflects the values you embody and the inspiration you continue to provide. You are the foundation of this extraordinary place, and it’s your legacy that makes the Museum vibrant, meaningful, and timeless.
Thank you for being the driving force behind it all. It’s our honor to celebrate your achievements and share your stories with the world.
As Olympic and Paralympic alumni, you receive complimentary admission! Explore the incredible legacy of Team USA through guided tours, live artifact demonstrations, and engaging events designed to bring history to life.
Have questions or want to connect? Reach out to us at athletes@usopm.org for more information.
New USOPM Book Club
Join the USOPM’s brand new Legacy Library: Virtual Book Club! Visit usopm.org/ bookclub to learn more: Engage in meaningful discussions about athlete life with fans of the museum, and support fellow athletes who have penned their stories. Gracie Gold (2014, Figure Skating) features in the first meeting at 6pm MT on April 22!
OPRF
WHO WE ARE
The U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund (OPRF) provides support to U.S. Olympians and Paralympians who are recovering from natural disasters and other hardships.
The Board of the Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund (OPRF) extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who gave generously during these challenging times for our U.S. Olympian and Paralympian families in LA County, Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other parts of California affected by the devastating fires.
We are thrilled to report a significant increase in grants, and we are immensely proud to be in a position to provide much-needed support.
Our Mission continues unwavering: To raise funds, guide USOPA members through the application process, and provide OPRF Financial Assistance Grants to eligible members meeting the qualifying guidelines.
For information on how to apply for a grant, visit OPR.fund.
Please contribute if you can. Here are ways to give:
• Visit OPR.fund
• Click the DONATE button and give through PayPal
• Write a check and mail it to the address below.
• Arrange for a disbursement from your donoradvised fund (DAF) or family foundation.
• Make a distribution from your IRA or another retirement account.
OLYMPIANS AND PARALYMPIANS, HAND IN HAND, CREATING A LEGACY THAT WILL ALWAYS STAND. TOGETHER WE RISE, TOGETHER WE STRIVE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, KEEPING OUR SPIRIT ALIVE!
TESTIMONIALS FROM OPRF RECIPIENTS
“I finally understand the reference that people make when they say, “life is a long roller coaster ride, since each person’s life has its ups and downs.”
Please allow me to share with you that I have been in the front row of this stomach-turning ride that we call life for the past couple months. From being extremely excited about the start of the new year, for the first time since I was a child I watched the NYE ball drop on Times Square on television, or counting down the days to step on the field in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Paralympic Games after qualifying in the summer of 2015.
January 2025 was supposed to signify the next step in my life in all the right ways, as I became the luckiest man in the world proposing to my best friend and love of my life, to finishing my last semester of college and earning my bachelor’s degree before going to law school. Of course, this is when the unforeseen “drop of the roller coaster” came in with the horrifying wildfires that scorched through the city of Los Angles and burned through my dream car and a couple of my valuable belongings such as my laptop and other school supplies. This sudden chaos really put me in a dark place. By the grace of God and with the support of my former teammates, I was introduced to the United States Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund (OPRF) where Executive Director Cynthia Stinger responded to my application in rapid time and helped share my problem with her fellow board members of this program to help me regain the confidence that this year still can be truly an amazing one for me.
I will be eternally grateful for everything this fund strives to be and do for every athlete.” - Mason
“I have only played and been a part of team sports all my life. Of course, it is one of the toughest/ most emotional days for any athlete to retire or step away from the game we love. Not only do we miss the actual sport that we have trained for most of our lives and sacrificed countless times in hopes of succeeding. Honestly to me, I knew for a fact that I would be more distraught by the fact I wouldn’t be around my second family and friends who I proudly call my USA teammates. Thankfully, the United States Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund (OPRF) reminded me that not only my former teammates from my specific sport, but ALL Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes will forever be my second family. I will forever be indebted for the assistance and reminder that you will always be a part of a team even after a Team USA athlete retires from their sport.” - Rene Renteria
“There are not enough words that I can use to speak about the relief and support this terrific fund has given my family and me. It has not only allowed me to keep a roof over my head but has motivated me even more to continue to move on from this natural disaster and build on our historic Team USA success in Paris last summer.” - Anonymous
“One of the easiest misconceptions that I believe most people in the public who watch the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the assumption that every athlete on Team USA makes millions of dollars like they see with professional athletes and in professional leagues around the world, especially in our country. Unfortunately, this can lead people to believe that we have far less issues than the everyday blue collar American. While training and participating with Team USA for nearly a decade, I can respectfully dispute that is far from the truth. I have seen countless Team USA athletes as well as myself pay rent, phone/cable bills, can get sick, have car/work/family issues just like anyone else in this world. Just like the everyday citizen, there are moments in your life that no matter how much you prepare for a situation there can be moments that leave you helpless due to the reality of a horrifying tragedy that happens in your life that forces you to lose something or someone. Just like the horrific day on January 7, which began the most destructive wildfires in American history. In terribly chaotic and uneasy situations like this natural disaster that impacted so many citizens located in multiple cities in Southern California. I cannot express enough the life changing support and assistance that the United States Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund (OPRF) advocates for its athletes. But even more so, goes above and beyond to search for athletes who need any sense of relief through their darkest times. It is truly amazing how by simply spreading information like this tremendous foundation, by simply using the word-of-mouth technique, it can really change a human being’s life.
I have been serving in the U.S. Army for the last 8 years, and I truly believe that the OPRF motto Olympians and Paralympians, hand in hand, creating a legacy that will always stand. Together we rise, together we strive. Thank you for your support, keeping our spirit alive! expresses the same support and meaning to its athletes as the Army Warrior Ethos does to its soldiers, specifically the last line of the Army Warrior Ethos: I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade.
With all my heart, I want to say thank you for everything this foundation does to support our Team USA brothers and sisters while they are going through their toughest times in life outside of any sporting event.” - David Garza
TEAM USA TIME MACHINE
Recently, the team at the Crawford Family U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Archives welcomed a remarkable addition to its collection of Olympic prize medals: a gold medal from the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games—one of the most elusive and coveted pieces of Olympic history. Only a few of these medals are known to still exist, and unlike other Olympic artifacts, they rarely appear at auction. This new acquisition is especially significant because it completes the Crawford Family’s Collection of historical prize medals, making it one of the few complete collections in the world.
The 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games were unlike any other. As the third edition of the modern Olympics and the first in the United States, they were held in conjunction with the St. Louis World’s Fair and were controversial from the start. Initially, the International Olympic Committee awarded Games to Chicago, but the organizers of the World’s Fair insisted that the Olympics be held in Missouri to coincide with their event.
In addition to the Olympic competition, several other championship events were part of the international sports festival, including the YMCA and AAU championships. The ninety-five medal events stretched over four and a half months, which limited the number of international competitors and led to dominant performances by Team USA. Despite the unusual circumstances, there were numerous standout athletes, including gymnast George Eyser, who won six medals while competing with a prosthetic leg.
Among the notable performances was Fred Schule, the original winner of the medal now housed in the Crawford Family Archives. Born in Iowa, Schule was a talented athlete who competed for both the University of Wisconsin and later, the University of Michigan. At the 1904 Olympics, he competed as a member the track and field team, in both the 110- and 200-meter hurdle events. Schule’s gold medal came in the 110-meter hurdles, where he clocked a time of 16 seconds flat and defeated his American teammate,
Thaddeus Shiedler, by two yards to claim the victory.
Schule’s gold medal joins more than 150 other Olympic prize medals in the Crawford Family’s Collection, all carefully preserved and maintained by the Archives team in our state-of-the-art facility. The medal will be processed and cataloged in-house before being loaned to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, where it will be displayed for public viewing in the coming months.
The Crawford Family Archives are housed within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Headquarters in downtown Colorado Springs. This 5,000-square-foot facility is maintained by a dedicated staff of three and houses an extensive collection of records, documents, photographs, and three-dimensional artifacts. The Archives are equipped with climate-controlled spaces and specialized storage to preserve a wide range of archival materials. The facility operates without an acquisition budget, relying solely on donations from athletes, collectors, and other supporters to help preserve the history of Team USA and share the stories of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Photos courtesy of the International Olympic Committee.
IN MEMORIAM
Arnold Uhrlass Speedskating 1960
Jeffrey Checkes Fencing 1968
Theodore Mittet Rowing 1964
Leonard Lilyholm Ice Hockey 1968
Ralph Mann Track & Field 1972
David Micahnik Fencing 1960, ‘64, ‘68
Charles Alm Rowing 1960
William Belden Rowing 1976, ‘80
Frederick Newhouse Track & Field 1976
Willard Ikola Ice Hockey 1956
Yves Auriol Fencing 1980, ‘84, ‘88, ‘92 Coach
Iris Cummings Critchell Swimming 1936
Gregory Bell Track & Field 1956
Richard “Dick”Button Figure Skating 1948, ‘52
Duane Koslowski Wrestling 1988
Richard “Dick” Meredith Ice Hockey 1956, ‘60
Mabel Landry Staton Track & Field 1952
George Foreman Boxing 1968
“ONCE
AN OLYMPIAN OR ALWAYSPARALYMPIAN, AN OLYMPIAN OR PARALYMPIAN. NEVER
FORMER, NEVER PAST”
