Q: What do the terms "Olympiad" and "quadrennium" mean?
A: The term "Olympiad" designates the period of four consecutive years which begins with Games of the Olympiad and ends with the opening of the following Games of the Olympiad. The Olympiads are numbered consecutively from the first Olympic Games (or Ist Games of the Olympiad), held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Even when the Games of the Olympiad are not celebrated or held (as in 1916, 1940 and 1944, due to war), the Olympiad expires four years from the day of its beginning, upon which date a new Olympiad begins. The term Olympiad is not used in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games, which are numbered only when they are actually held. The U.S. Olympic Committee often refers to this same four-year cycle as the "quadrennium." The USOC is currently in the 2001-2004 quadrennium.
Q: Why are the Olympic Winter Games now in a different cycle than the Games of the Olympiad?
A: On Oct. 14, 1986, at the 91st IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, the IOC voted to move the Olympic Winter Games into their own distinct, four-year cycle, to be held in the second calendar year following that in which the Games of the Olympiad are held. One reason the IOC cited for making the change was to lessen the time and financial burdens on the NOCs for preparing for the two Games in one year. In 1992, the Olympic Winter Games (in Albertville, France) were held for the last time in the same year as the Games of the Olympiad (held in Barcelona, Spain, that year). The XVIIth Olympic Winter Games in 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway, marked the beginning of the separate, four-year cycle for the Winter Games.
Q: What is the history of the Olympic torch?
A: The idea of lighting an Olympic flame for the duration of the Games derives from the ancient Greeks, who used a flame lit by the sun’s rays at Olympia. The concept was revived in 1928 in Amsterdam. The Olympic Torch Relay has been a tradition since 1952, when it was adopted from an idea proposed by a chairman of the 1936 Berlin Games. Symbolizing spirit, knowledge and life, this event delivers the Olympic flame from Greece to the host country.
Q: What is an Olympic medal made of?
A: Olympic medals must be at least 60 millimeters in diameter and at least three millimeters thick. Gold and silver medals must be made of 92.5 percent pure silver; the gold medal must be gilded with at least six grams of gold. The design of the medal is the responsibility of the host city's organizing committee.
Q: How many times have the Olympic Games (winter or summer) been held in the United States?
A: Including the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, the United States has served as the host country more than any other country -- a total of eight times -- four times each for the winter and summer Olympic Games. St. Louis, Mo., was the first U.S. city to host the modern Olympic Games in 1904. In 1932, the U.S. hosted both the IIIrd Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y., and the Games of the Xth Olympiad in Los Angeles. Squaw Valley, Calif., and Lake Placid were the host cities for the 1960 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games, respectively, while the 1984 Olympic Games were held in Los Angeles, where a record-setting profit was realized, and the 1996 Olympic Games were held in Atlanta. France and Germany are the only other countries to have ever hosted two Olympic Games in one year. After the USA, France has hosted the most Olympic Games -- five, including the 1992 Olympic Winter Games.
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Olympic Organizations
Q: What is the International Olympic Committee's role in the overall Olympic Movement and where is it located?
A: The International Olympic Committee was created by the Congress of Paris on June 23, 1894, and was entrusted with the control and development of the Modern Olympic Games. The IOC is the final authority on all questions concerning the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement worldwide. The Olympic Movement includes the IOC, International Sports Federations (IFs), the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the Organizing Committees of the Olympic Games (OCOGs), the national sports federations and other associations. The IOC's headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its web site is: www.olympic.org.
Q: What is the role of a National Olympic Committee (NOC) and how many are currently recognized by the IOC?
A: Each "nation" has but one NOC. Although most the NOCs that are recognized are from nations, the IOC also recognizes independent territories, commonwealths (such as Puerto Rico), mandated territories, protectorates and geographical areas. As of February 2000, the IOC recognized 200 National Olympic Committees. Each NOC has the responsibility for governing Olympic affairs within its nation, including identifying, training, selecting, entering and funding an Olympic Team from that nation to compete in the Olympic Games.
Q: What is the role of an International Federation (IF) and how many IFs are currently recognized by the IOC?
A: The International Federations (IFs) for Olympic sports and those sports wishing to be considered for the Olympic program establish the eligibility and competition rules, set the schedule of events (which then must be approved by the IOC and the host organizing committee for the Olympic Games), and select and identify the referees, judges and other officials to "run" the sport. The IFs can also make proposals to the IOC concerning the revision or development of the events in its own sport, and recommend the addition or deletion of an event on the Olympic program. The IF is responsible for resolving all technical issues such as officiating disputes and recognizes only one National Governing Body (NGB) per sport in each country. As of February 2000, there are 35 International Federations for the different medal sports on the programs of the Olympic Games or Olympic Winter Games. There are another 22 "Recognized International Federations" for those sports seeking inclusion on future Olympic programs.
Q: What is a National Governing Body and how many are currently recognized in the U.S.?
A: A National Governing Body is the sports organization that is recognized by and affiliated with an International Federation. In the U.S., there are currently 39 Olympic Sport Organizations or NGBs for the sports on either of the Olympic Games, six Pan American Sport Organizations for the sports on the Pan Am Games, and another six Affiliated Sports Organizations such as karate, rugby, sports acrobatics and underwater swimming, which are among the sports seeking inclusion on future Olympic programs. The NGBs operate independently of the USOC. Information about NGB calendar of events, Olympic Trial and/or Selection Dates and answers to sport-specific questions should be obtained through those organizations.
Q: Who determines the program of sports, disciplines and events for the Olympic Games?
A: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) establishes the program for both the winter and summer Olympic Games, which includes only those sports recognized by the IOC as Olympic sports meeting the criteria outlined in the IOC Charter. The program of the Games of the Olympiad must include at least 15 Olympic sports, but there is no minimum number of sports required for the Olympic Winter Games program. After each Olympic Games, the IOC reviews the program and may rule to admit or exclude sports, disciplines or events or may change the standards from admitting or deleting sports, disciplines or events from the future Olympic Games programs.
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U.S. Olympic Movement / Team USA
Q: What is the USOC?
A: The United States Olympic Committee, which has its administrative headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., is comprised of 72 member organizations. It is the coordinating body for Olympic-related athletic activity in the United States. The vision of the USOC has been to assist in finding opportunities for every American to participate in sport, regardless of gender, race, age, geography or physical ability.
Q: Where can I find information on getting a job or internship with the USOC?
A: The USOC offers a range of volunteer, internship and employment opportunities. Applications and resumes are accepted by the USOC Human Resources Division for job vacancies. To find out if you qualify, visit the USOC website, where you will find employment and internship information and qualifications. To learn of current job openings, you may also call the Job Line at (719) 578-4680.
Q: How is the U.S. Olympic Movement funded?
A: In the United States, the Olympic effort is unique in that it is funded by contributions from private citizens and by major support from the corporate community. The U.S. Olympic Committee is one of only a few of the current 198 NOCs that receives no continuous federal government subsidy. The USOC also operates a direct marketing program, which includes direct mail contribution solicitations and mail order purchases of USOC-licensed apparel and items through distribution of catalogs, flyers, magazine advertising and an online store on the USOC's web site.
Q: How can I make a donation to the USOC?
A: You can donate online by credit card or electronic fund transfer at www.usolympicteam.com; or mail a check made out to the USOC, to the following address:
USOC Development Office
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Q: What is the U.S. Olympic Foundation?
A: The U.S. Olympic Foundation was established after the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles to benefit Olympic and amateur sports in the U.S. The original funding (roughly $115 million) came from the USOC's share of the commemorative Olympic coins sold by the U.S. Government and from the USOC's 40 percent share of the surplus from the L.A. Olympic Games. A non-profit organization, the Foundation is not subject to state or federal income taxes and its objective is to reinvest up to 50 percent of its total portfolio while distributing the other 50 percent of the funds in grants to the USOC's member organizations to further develop sports in this country. The Foundation, which is run by a Board of Trustees that includes the USOC's immediate past president, is a separate entity from the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Q: How can I sponsor a U.S. Olympic hopeful without disrupting their amateur status?
A: Each IF governs the restrictions placed upon an athlete and their eligibility. To get a complete list of guidelines, contact the National Governing Body in which you are interested.
Q: Where are the U.S. Olympic Training Centers?
A: More than 25,000 athletes prepare for their competitive endeavors each year at Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Lake Placid, N.Y., Chula Vista, Calif., and the Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Mich. In 2003, the USOC named Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Al. as an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center and Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., as an official U.S. Olympic Training Center. It is the responsibility of each sport’s National Governing Body to select athletes to train at the centers and to administer all coaching and technical training support while they are there. The U.S. Olympic Committee offers the athletes free room and board, training facilities, sports medicine care, sport science testing and analysis, local transportation and recreational facilities.
Q: How can I make the U.S. Olympic Team?
A: Each sport’s National Governing Body develops their own athletes and sets the selection procedures and/or Olympic Trials dates, which must then be approved by the USOC's Games Preparation Committee and the USOC Board of Directors. Each athlete must meet the requirements of his or her respective sport's International Federation and National Organizing Committee. The NGB websites contain further contact information.
Q: I am an athletic trainer and I want to work for the U.S. Olympic Team. Where do I start?
A: The USOC has an active volunteer program for certified athletic trainers who are willing to serve two weeks at an Olympic Training Center providing health care to America's athletes. You should request a volunteer application from the sports medicine division. Additionally, the USOC employs recent graduates and newly certified athletic trainers at the Olympic Training Center medical clinics for one-year appointments. Applications are accepted each springs and interviews are usually conducted at the National Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting.
Q: Where can I get information on a specific U.S. Olympic team/sport?
A: Each individual sport is overseen by a national governing body, or NGB. Most NGBs maintain web sites with complete information about the sport and its Olympic athlete participants.
Q: How can I write to a U.S. Olympic/Paralympic athlete?
A: The U.S. Olympic Committee will forward mail to any living U.S. Olympic, Paralympic or Pan American Games athlete with a current address on file, if proper appropriate first-class postage is included. Send letters in care of:
U.S. Olympic Committee
One Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909.
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Gold Medal Pass / Store
Q: Where can I buy (fill in the blank -- pins, water polo shirt, etc.)?
A: We probably have what you are looking for in our online store available at usolympicteam.com. We frequently update our merchandise selection, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, it could be added in the future. To be alerted about new products in the store, you can select “Special Offers/Store Updates” in our Gold Medal Pass e-mail service.
Q: I received an e-mail with the subject “goldmedalpass.” How did you get my e-mail address?
A: Here are a few of the ways you might have provided us permission to contact you: (1) You signed up at usolympicteam.com (formerly usoc.org); (2) You opted-in at nbcolympics.com or saltlake2002.org during the Games in Sydney or Salt Lake City, where you chose to receive info from the USOC as a part of a purchase; or (3) You visited our Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and filled out a card requesting more information. Gold Medal Pass e-mails are never unsolicited, and users choose the information they want to receive. If you feel we have your name in error, we will immediately remove you from our database to make sure you are completely satisfied.
Q: Why did you ask for my mailing address on the Gold Medal Pass sign-up form?
A: Subscribers to Gold Medal Pass are under no obligation to submit any personal information other than their name, e-mail address and date of birth (child privacy regulations) to receive free Gold Medal Pass e-mails. Your location is requested only to aid in notifying you of special offers and/or events taking place in your area.
Q: How can I order a merchandise catalog?
A: By registering for Gold Medal Pass, you can receive our fall catalog of merchandise. In the sign-up form, there is a checkbox to receive the catalog. You must fill out your complete mailing address as well as check the appropriate box to receive the catalog. If you have already registered for Gold Medal Pass, you need to go back and “modify” your account to add the information noted above.
Q: Why don’t you write a story on (fill in the blank)?
A: We feel it is important to help provide the information and stories our fans are looking for, so your input is appreciated. Email your suggestions to the webmaster.
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Education / Multimedia
Q: Where can I find education materials about the Olympic Games?
A: Countless books and articles have been published on the Olympic Movement and specific topics within Olympic sports. To get started, go to www.usolympicteam.com to find information on the history and tradition of the Olympic Games, as well as an extensive resource list of print and web materials.
Q: Who can I contact to get Olympic media footage and videos?
A: To obtain Olympic footage and commercial videos through the USOC, contact the U.S. Olympic Entertainment Properties Division. Find information on USOEP and a video request form at www.usolympicteam.com/footage.
Q: Can Olympic logos/photos/pictograms be used for personal projects (educational, etc.)?
A: Olympic visual images are usually copyrighted by a specific Games’ organizing committee. Once the organizing committee is dissolved, the copyright is transferred to the International Organizing Committee (IOC). Contact the IOC for further information about the acceptable use of Olympic images.
Q: I am a teacher/educator/etc. and I am looking for prizes for an event. Can the USOC donate such items?
A: Since all "excess" inventory is controlled and monitored by Development and used in either direct sales or fund raising campaigns, requestors should be directed to the online store at www.usolympicteam.com, or to a retail location in their area to purchase Olympic items.
Q: How can someone obtain posters from an Olympic Games or the USOC?
A: Official posters of the Olympic Games are produced by the Local Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and are available in the United States when the Games are held in this country, or when an agreement has been signed by the respective LOC and the USOC for sale of such posters in this country to benefit the U.S. Olympic Team. Posters from past Olympic Games are not available for sale. The IOC owns the rights to artwork produced from past Olympic Games.
Q: How can someone contact an Olympic athlete to speaking at a school, community organization or other event?
A: To arrange for a U.S. Olympian to be a speaker, individuals must contact the USOC Alumni Relations Department at (719) 866-4989. A limited list of athlete agents is also available through that department or the USOC's Media & Public Affairs Division (719-866-4529).
Q: How can I obtain footage from previous Olympic Games?
A: The USOC controls the use of all Olympic footage within the United States. If you would like to obtain Olympic footage, you must submit a request in writing to the USOC. Please visit www.usolympictema.com/footage and complete the required form to request the desired footage.
