USOC Chair Larry Probst yesterday said that the committee was "looking forward to working with the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who recently called" IOC President Thomas Bach to "express support" for L.A.'s bid for the '24 Games. Probst said of Trump, "He's very excited about the thought of having the Olympic Games in the United States in 2024. I think we've got a fan who will be in the White House ... and that's a good thing" (AFP, 12/14). In L.A., David Wharton reports Probst and USOC CEO Scott Blackmun "left open the possibility of soliciting help" from Trump as the campaign for the '24 Games "moves into the crucial third phase" (L.A. TIMES, 12/14).
FISCAL REWARD: The USOC has boosted its cash incentive awards for Olympic medalists by 50%, pushing Gold Medal awards to $37,500, silver to $22,500 and $15,000 for bronze. Paralympians will earn $7,500 for gold, $5,250 for silver and $3,750 for bronze. Cash awards for world championships in off years increased by 25%. The USOC awarded $2.09M in cash awards after Rio. The changes are effective in '17 (Ben Fischer, Staff Writer).
OFF TRACK: USA TODAY's Rachel Axon notes the Int'l Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation yesterday "moved its upcoming world championships from Sochi" after "facing boycotts from one nation and the possible withdrawal of other countries from competition." U.S. athletes were "among those considering of opting to boycott the February event at the Sanki Sliding Center in light of further revelations about the extent of widespread and state-sponsored doping in Russia last week." The IBSF is now "working to find a replacement host" (USA TODAY, 12/14).
