COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – After more than 3,000 interviews, focus groups and surveys, the Congressional-appointed U.S. Olympic and Paralympic National Commission has released its final report. The summary is as follows. This system has failed athletes. ”
This new fact came to light after KRDO13 investigated some Olympic teams traveling from Colorado Springs to North Carolina. Officials from multiple Olympic teams say they need more resources to continue training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Through records requests, KRDO13 also found no receipts documenting an agreement to improve the Colorado Springs-based Olympic Training Center. Despite an agreement that cost millions of taxpayer dollars to accomplish that goal. However, Colorado Springs said it is “aware” that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is spending taxpayer funds as intended in the 2009 agreement.
The Olympic Congressional Committee's 277-page report details a lack of financial transparency within the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and documents 990 USOPC tax forms and tens of thousands of other financial statements. Very little information was collected from. “It sheds meaningful light on an organization's finances,'' the report states.
The report said that despite the Commission's statutory responsibilities, its pursuit of financial information was sometimes met with a “hostile” response.
The commission outlines how Olympic officials are paid millions of dollars while many athletes are pushed into poverty as they pursue their athletic dreams. .
The report states that “some of the most talented competitors under our nation's flag sleep under the roof of their cars at night,” while one anonymous speed skater said: He revealed that he relied on food stamps while training six days a week leading up to the Sochi Olympics. 2014. Some people report being unable to make ends meet and having to give up their efforts.
According to the report, 59.1% of USOPC and governing body executives and board members surveyed earned more than $150,000 annually, compared to 26.5% of active athletes who earned $15,000 annually. I earn less than that. For most athletes, the cost of competing averaged $12,000 per year.
According to the latest available 2021 USOPC Nonprofit 990, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland earned $1,140,343.
However, the USOPC will award $37,500 to any Olympian or Paralympian who wins a gold medal, and Team USA athletes can apply to receive up to $10,000 in training and travel expenses through Simon Grant. It was not disclosed how many Team USA athletes were supported through this grant. The spokesperson also noted that in addition to tuition and $25,000 in grants awarded to four athletes involved in youth sports, a total of $811,000 has been awarded to 277 athletes through the Team USA Athlete Marketing Platform. He also mentioned Dollar's sponsorship/endorsement deal.
“Something needs to change financially,” said Han Xiao, who was appointed co-chair of the committee. “Athletes at the world championship level, at least at the elite level, should be able to earn a living wage somehow. They shouldn't and shouldn't be living in their cars.” Some of them don't have to rely on GoFundMe or have their parents take out a mortgage so they can pursue athletic excellence on the world stage. ”
After many respondents expressed distrust of the organization's independence, the commission decided to reform the Amateur Sports Act, create an inspector general, increase investment in Paralympic sport, and establish an independent whistleblower group, SafeSport. It makes 12 recommendations, including funding.
“We look at them as inspirational people, as heroes, as something we aspire to. In general, we see them as people who work on scraps just to fend for themselves and put food on the table. “I don't think of people as people who have to beg or beg for money. “The organizations that are part of this movement should be accountable to someone for how they spend their money. should not be a mystery,” Hsiao said.
The Commission also recommends parliamentary action and greater involvement of state and local governments.
On behalf of the Olympic Committee, Colorado Springs spokeswoman Vanessa Zinke asserted to KRDO13 that the USOPC provided the Congressional committee with at least 47,000 requested documents.
On Wednesday, March 20, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a federal hearing on the committee's report.
What about Colorado Springs?
In 2009, Colorado Springs signed a $31.7 million deal with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to locate its headquarters here. The city received a loan from the Colorado Springs Public Facilities Authority to finance the transaction. The city currently pays about $1.7 million annually toward that loan. The agreement also calls for a portion of the funds the city gives to the USOPC to be used to improve the Olympic Training Center.
KRDO13 asked the city for itemized receipts and documentation showing evidence of improvements at the Olympic Training Center. The city said it found no such documentation of improvements. The city says the agreement does not require the USOPC to provide documentation regarding taxpayer-funded improvements to the Olympic Training Center.
“However, through consultation with the USOPC, the City [loan] The funds were used as intended in the agreement. Additionally, the USOPC has an obligation to maintain its national headquarters and USOPTC in Colorado Springs for at least 30 years, and we are fulfilling that obligation,'' said city spokeswoman Vanessa Zinke.
However, a 2013 article published in the Colorado Springs Business Journal outlined the taxpayer-funded project.
Construction of a new strength and conditioning building and renovations to the sports medicine and recovery building were slated for $8.2 million. About half of the $16 million promised in the incentive package allocated to the Olympic Training Center.
KRDO13 called on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to respond to the committee's calls for greater financial transparency and pay disparities between USOPC executives and athletes. These questions could not be directly answered.
A statement from CEO Sarah Hirshland to NGB, athletes, donors, partners and staff was shared with KRDO13. For his part, Hirshland said: “We are working tirelessly to increase safety for our athlete representatives and center athletes, increase transparency and accountability in our governance structures, and increase awareness and support for the Paralympic Movement. I've been working on it,” he wrote.
KRDO13 searched records belonging to Pikes Peak Regional Buildings and found that since 2009, hundreds of building permits have been issued for the Olympic Training Center site. Many of these projects involve various electrical, mechanical, and plumbing modifications.
Some of the projects are labeled as “interior remodeling” projects, but it's unclear from online records how they specifically benefit athletes and their training.
Read Sarah Hirshland's full statement here.
“Early this morning, the official report from the Congressional Committee on the Status of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the United States was released. I think that I want to do it.
Upon closer examination of the committee's recommendations, an important aspect that is not recognized is the profound evolution that has occurred throughout the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement since the committee's inception. During these five years of his life, we have experienced a journey of transformation and growth as a community. We have navigated a sea of challenges and emerged stronger, more resilient and with a renewed and unwavering commitment to our mission.
Our collective commitment to elevating athlete voices, prioritizing athlete safety and health, and setting standards for good sports management remains steadfast. We have worked tirelessly to increase athlete representation and center athlete safety, increase transparency and accountability in our governance structures, and increase awareness and support for the Paralympic Movement.
We have made great progress on this journey. Currently, athletes make up 50% of his board of directors, many of whom are elected by their peers. To ensure the health of our athletes, we have implemented strong safety policies and hired a dedicated Vice President of Athlete Safety. We have also established an Athlete Services Department to provide comprehensive support to our athletes, from mental health resources to career guidance.
We strengthen transparency and accountability in governance structures, provide annual reports to parliaments, and audit the national governing bodies of more than 50 sports. Our efforts to raise awareness and support for the Paralympic Movement culminated in 2019 with the addition of the Paralympic Movement to her USOPC name.
We always recognize that there is room for improvement. We remain committed to being constructive participants in making our organization and the Olympic and Paralympic movements stronger. As this discussion progresses, we remain confident that the United States is ready to secure a strong performance in Paris, a successful 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, and hosting the Winter Games in Salt Lake City. , our fans, and donors. In 2034.
We look forward to reviewing the Committee's findings and recommendations and will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of our organization, our athletes, and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Once again, we would like to thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. I am confident that together we can continue to make progress and shape a bright future for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. ”
Sarah Hirshland, USOPC CEO
