$100 Million Grant: A Lifeline for U.S. Olympic Athletes' Future

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has announced a groundbreaking $100 million grant from Ross Stevens, founder and CEO of asset manager Stone Ridge Holdings Group. This generous donation will provide long-term financial support for future Olympic athletes, ensuring their financial stability and future prospects. The grant, the largest in the organization's history, comes as awareness grows of the financial burden many Olympic athletes face due to their rigorous training schedules and the lack of traditional career paths with financial savings.

As part of the gift, every Olympic and Paralympic athlete who participates in the 2026 games in Milan and future games through at least 2032 will receive $200,000 in financial benefits. This amount will be paid out per Olympic games that the athlete competes in, with no maximum limit. This financial support will allow athletes to focus on their training and competition without worrying about immediate financial needs.

However, the first $100,000 of the benefit will not kick in until 20 years after the games or when the athlete turns 45, whichever comes later. This delayed payout encourages athletes to plan for their future and use the funds for long-term investments, such as starting a business or supporting their families. The remaining $100,000 will be given to eligible athletes' families upon their death, ensuring that athletes' families are taken care of even after the athlete's passing.

This grant is a significant step towards ensuring the financial well-being of U.S. Olympic athletes both during and after their athletic careers. The USOPC, as a mission-driven nonprofit, is committed to fiscal responsibility and financial transparency. The organization's primary purpose is to support athletes through direct funds or programs that support them both on and off the field of play. The Olympic and Paralympic Games year operating surplus allows the USOPC to run a deficit in non-Games years and provides a consistent level of support for athletes during each year of the four-year, quadrennial budget cycle.

The USOPC invested $170 million in athlete excellence programs in 2023, accounting for almost 60% of all spending for the year. This includes athlete stipends, funding for National Governing Bodies (NGBs), and support for elite athlete training through the best coaches, sports science, and medicine support, expenses related to the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, and training environments. The USOPC also provided $17 million in medical benefits to 1,468 athletes through its Elite Athlete Health Insurance and National Medical Network partners.

The $100 million grant from Ross Stevens complements these existing efforts and provides an additional safety net for U.S. Olympic athletes. By addressing the financial challenges faced by these athletes, the USOPC is helping to create a more supportive and sustainable environment for their success both on and off the field of play.