Some Olympic athletes get lucrative endorsement deals and make a substantial amount of money. Is U.S. Athletic Trust supporting these athletes?
Olympic riches are few and generally only in very high-profile sports. Even so, USAT maintains demonstrable financial need as a criterion for athlete support; in 2004, our funded athletes had had an average total income of $11,300 in 2002.

How much does it really cost to train for the Olympics?
Individual out-of-pocket costs for coaching, equipment, and transportation to worldwide events can cost between $12,000 and $120,000 per year, depending on the sport. Student loans, housing, food, health insurance, and physiotherapy add another $12,000 or so per year. Training schedules usually allow time for part-time work only, which does not begin to cover these costs. It's like paying for college all over again -- but without financial aid.

Can I earmark money for a particular athlete?
Yes, but it would not be tax deductible according to IRS regulations. (See Adopt an Athlete.) We can and do, however, accept tax-deductible donations targeted for a specific school, sport, or background.

I thought Olympic athletes were supposed to be amateurs. Isn't it against the rules to provide them with money?
Amateurism began to fade from the Olympic movement in the 1960s. Today, most international governing bodies of Olympic sports allow athletes to earn income from their sport without forfeiting their Olympic eligibility. In fact, in certain sports, such as Triathlon, athletes must compete in what is considered the "professional" category in order to even qualify for the Olympic Games. In most European countries, national lotteries and large sports organizations give Olympic aspirants cash stipends of $20,000 to $40,000 per year beyond health insurance, equipment, training, and competition costs.

Is U.S. Athletic Trust part of the United States Olympic Committee?
No. The Trust has absolutely no relationship with The USOC, the organization that Congress charters to be the steward of our Olympic athletes in the United States. Our disclaimer makes this very clear: U.S. Athletic Trust is an independent 501(c)(3) corporation that is neither endorsed, nor sponsored by, nor affiliated with The United States Olympic Committee.

Who makes the decisions about the awarding of funding to athletes?
Each sport committee makes recommendations to the board of directors about athlete funding to the board. The board collectively makes all final decisions.

How is the governance of U.S. Athletic Trust organized?
The board of directors, currently chaired by founder August L. Wolf, meets quarterly and determines changes in major policy and the corporate by-laws. The advisory board contributes substantively to policy formulation.

What percentage of U.S. Athletic Trust budget goes directly to athlete support?
Our goal is to have 75 percent of individual donations go directly to our athletes. In fiscal year 2005 (October 2004 through September 2005), we greatly exceeded this goal percentage (un-audited).

I thought that the United States Olympic Committee did a great job supporting our athletes. Why do the athletes need additional help?
In reality, the US Olympic Committee directs only about 7% or less (7% in 2002, 6.7% in 2004) of its total revenues to direct athlete support. And while the USOC does help fund the numerous sportsﾒ national governing bodies, those organizations pass on only about 3% (2004) of their combined revenues to direct athlete support.*

Support levels vary by sport, but are typically reserved for athletes who have already made the U.S. team. Typical funding is $5,000 a year, which falls far short of covering athletes' competition and training costs. While the USOC funnels funds to various organizations for specific programs, the bulk of these funds do not trickle down to athletes. American athletes receive a fraction of the support that their Western European counterparts do.

*Figures based on publicly available IRS forms 990

I am not keen on supporting professionalism in sport, especially when these athletes have had excellent educational opportunities. Is there a risk that U.S. Athletic Trust is subsidizing an unhealthy focus on sport that hurts the athletes in the long run?
Yes, it is a risk, but our goal is to minimize it. We encourage our athletes, through mentoring and flexible-job procurement, not to lose focus on their post-athletic career goals. We also give preference in our selection process to athletes with community-service backgrounds. On the other hand, we believe that the athletic experience is a very valuable one. Whether or not our athletes end up qualifying for Olympic finals, their experiences along the way provide the opportunity to learn real-life lessons that are invaluable in future careers.

What is U.S. Athletic Trust doing about substance abuse?
Like all other Olympic-level athletes, Trust athletes are bound by the anti-doping rules and regulations imposed by their respective sports' national and international governing bodies. In addition, Trust athletes will be required to affirm their adherence to all rules and regulations of their particular sports' governing bodies, including substance abuse rules, on a monthly basis.