Launched on July 23, 2020, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, in partnership with Athletes' Advisory Council and National Governing Bodies, created the COVID Athlete Assistance Fund. The fund is intended to provide a one-time stipend to U.S. athletes who have incurred financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The USOPC has enlisted its fundraising arm, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, to work with its network of donors to raise funds, 100% of which will go directly to eligible athletes who are currently training and in contention to represent the U.S. at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Games.

In partnership with the Athletes’ Advisory Council and National Governing Bodies, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced on Oct. 20 that more than $1.4 million was raised for the COVID Athlete Assistance Fund by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, giving 1,220 U.S. athletes a supplemental one-time stipend of $1,163. The fund was established in July to assist athletes who have incurred financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

In addition to the fund, the USOPC will continue to elevate athlete services and support, including strengthening efforts to promote mental and physical health, financial well-being through direct stipends and Elite Athlete Health Insurance, and high-performance support and training assistance.

For additional questions related to the athlete assistance fund, please see the athlete FAQ below.

 

FAQ For Athletes & NGBs

The submission period has now closed.
The fund is a one-time stipend that is intended to support athletes who have incurred financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. The stipend is not in lieu of supplemental income, but rather designed to assist athletes who need additional support to offset living expenses, bills or other costs associated with training.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Athletes’ Advisory Council leadership designed and deployed a survey in April 2020 to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Team USA athlete community, including athletes’ financial well-being as a result of the pandemic. The fund is one of several initiatives to be implemented based on the key learnings from the survey.
The USOPC has enlisted its fundraising arm, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, to work with its network of donors to contribute funds, 100% of which will go directly to athletes.

Team USA athletes who are currently training and in contention to represent the U.S. at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Games. Eligible athletes are those who, in 2019 or 2020, have represented the U.S. at an elite competition and in an event or discipline included on the Tokyo or Beijing Games program. Elite competitions, events and programs include:

• World Championships or highest level of competition(s) in your sport
• World Cup Circuit, Grand Prix or equivalent elite international competitions
• Elite national team member as verified by NGB/HPMO

To be eligible, athletes shall not be under a suspension or period of ineligibility—temporarily or otherwise—from USADA, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, a National Governing Body or International Federation.

If you have already been named to the Tokyo 2020 team, yes, you are eligible to submit a request for relief.
If you made the official decision to retire and have no intention to compete in 2020 or beyond, you are not eligible for this funding. If this situation relates to you, you have competed in a Games and are a U.S. Olympian/Paralympian, you are eligible to apply for support and/or relief through the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund.
If your sport did not qualify for Tokyo 2020, you are not eligible to receive funding from the COVID Athlete Assistance Fund however, you may be eligible for other support services such as ACE or OORF.
Athletes may only complete a COVID Athlete Assistance Fund submission form for themselves. However, if you are a visually or intellectually impaired athlete, or under the age of 18, you can get assistance from a family member or friend. If you need help completing your form, please contact athleteservices@usopc.org.
Athletes can complete one COVID Athlete Assistance Fund submission form. This is a one-time benefit intended to help elite Team USA athletes alleviate financial burden as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding will be sent to eligible athletes that have completed their submission and been approved by the end of October 2020.
In partnership with the Athletes’ Advisory Council and National Governing Bodies, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced on Oct. 20 that more than $1.4 million was raised for the COVID Athlete Assistance Fund by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, giving 1,220 U.S. athletes a supplemental one-time stipend of $1,163. The fund was established in July to assist athletes who have incurred financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

For More Information

If you have general questions about the fund, contact Athlete Services at athleteservices@usopc.org.

If you need confidential, independent advice or assistance in resolving a concern or dispute, please contact the Office of the Athlete Ombudsman at ombudsman@usathlete.org or 719-866-5000.

If you are interested in learning more about the fundraising efforts for the COVID Athlete Assistance Fund, please visit https://www.teamusa.org/US-Olympic-and-Paralympic-Foundation/CovidAAF To learn more about the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund, visit http://www.oorf.org/.