U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation launches Team USA Registry campaign to support America's elite athletes

New fundraising program invites fans to purchase symbolic gifts to help offset athlete training costs and support the USOC’s mission

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation today announced the launch of the Team USA Registry, a fundraising program aimed at enhancing its annual fund, Team USA Fund. The annual fund serves as the cornerstone of support for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. At the core of the new campaign is a website that allows donors to choose meaningful, symbolic gifts such as running shoes, badminton racquets or plane tickets for competition travel – in support of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. With the campaign, the USOPF hopes to bridge the gap Team USA athletes face between their average incomes and training expenses that far exceed that total.

"Unlike most National Olympic Committees, the U.S. Olympic Committee receives no government funding, and we’re being outspent by our competitors at an increasing rate," said Jon Denney, USOPF president and USOC chief development officer. "Team USA relies on the ‘Team Behind the Team,’ – generous donors and sponsors – to help U.S. athletes remain competitive with the rest of the world. The Team USA Registry offers donors a new and unique way to join Team USA on the Road to Rio."

Beginning today at TeamUSARegistry.org, donors will get a glimpse into what many Olympians and Paralympians require on their path to the podium and will have the chance to help offset the more than $40,000 it costs to fund an athlete’s journey to the Games. These symbolic gifts serve as unrestricted donations to the Team USA Fund, supporting the mission of the USOC. Fans will have the option to shop by category, sport or dollar amount to choose and purchase the perfect gift for Team USA. Users will also have the option to honor friends and loved ones with a gift donated in their name, giving them the distinction of joining the "Team Behind the Team." After making a donation, fans will receive a shareable social media badge of acknowledgement for supporting Team USA.

"To a U.S. Olympic or Paralympic athlete, ‘training’ requires specialized equipment, world-class coaching, sports medicine, travel expenses and nutrition services," said Natalie Coughlin, Team USA veteran and 12-time Olympic medal winner in swimming. "This support is more important today than ever, as there are athletes who have the potential, but not the means, to achieve their Olympic and Paralympic dreams."

As a separate nonprofit organization, the USOPF serves as the primary source of philanthropic resources for the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the United States. Donations to the USOPF’s Team USA Fund support athlete financial aid, high-performance programs and community initiatives that promote the advancement of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

For more information on the Team USA Registry, visit TeamUSARegistry.org.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only