Gardner Introduces Legislation to Reevaluate the US Olympic Committee

Washington, DC – Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced legislation today to establish the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics. 

View Senator Gardner’s statement here or by clicking on the image above

“In Colorado, we’re proud of our Olympic city, Colorado Springs, and all that our Olympic athletes mean to our great state,” said Senator Gardner. “But we know we can do better. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation today to make sure we are taking a look at the structure of the Olympic committee so that its presence in Colorado can grow even stronger and we can do a better job looking out for the futures of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes.”

Under this legislation, Congress would establish a 16-member commission, all of whom would be required have experience in athletics, advocacy, or coaching, and half of which would be comprised of Olympians or Paralympians. The Commission would study the structure of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and determine whether or not the USOC board includes diverse membership, existing licensing and funding arrangements, oversight of sports' National Governing Bodies, and the recruitment of the Olympics and Paralympic games to the United States, along with other duties.

The Commission would need to submit a final report to Congress with their findings, conclusions, recommendations, and any suggested policy changes.

NOTE: Read bill text here.

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Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy and Subcommittee on Energy.