USOPC Agrees To Triple Funding Of Athletes' Advisory Council

The USOPC will "increase financial support of its athlete council" in a move that "comes after athletes called for a more powerful voice in the wake of sexual abuse scandals," according to Rachel Bachman of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The USOPC and Athletes' Advisory Council agreed on a change that would "triple the governing body's annual funding of the athlete group, to $525,000." This additional funding will enable the council to "hire a professional executive director to help it better function in an increasingly complex Olympic-sports world." Under the agreement, which is effective through Dec. 31, 2024, funding from the USOPC will "rise 2% each year and support AAC staffing, projects and travel." The agreement also "halts, at least for now, the AAC's exploration of more radical steps such as the formation of a union-like group" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/24).