USOPC Announces Updates to Board of Directors
Gene Sykes will transition to an IOC member; Allyson Felix joins USOPC board
Posted On: October 11, 2024 By :The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee has made updates to its Board of Directors following the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Paris.
Gene Sykes, board chair, will transition from his role as elected independent director to an International Olympic Committee member following his election to the IOC in July. He will continue to serve as chair of the USOPC board. Five-time U.S. Olympian and 11-time medalist Allyson Felix, elected to the IOC Athletes’ Commission through an athlete vote held during the Paris Games, also joins the USOPC board as an IOC member.
In keeping with the Olympic Charter and the USOPC Bylaws, all American members of the IOC are automatically granted seats on the USOPC Board, meaning Sykes and Felix will join current IOC members Anita DeFrantz and David Haggerty as well as International Paralympic Committee Governing Board member Muffy Davis.
Three members of the USOPC Board have had their terms renewed and begin their second four-year terms on January 1, 2025. These include at-large athlete-elected representative Donna De Varona; National Governing Body representative Dexter Paine; and athlete representative Daria Schneider. Dr. Cheri Blauwet, independent director, will complete her maximum second four-year term on the board at the end of 2024.
“It has been a privilege to serve on the USOPC board,” said Blauwet. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together over my time on the board, and excited to see the group continue to evolve with strong leaders committed to serving Team USA athletes.”
The USOPC is actively reviewing candidates to fill the two independent director seats previously held by Blauwet and Sykes, with plans to announce new members by the first quarter of 2025.
Additionally, John Naber, at-large athlete-elected director, has decided to step down early, creating an opportunity for another retired athlete to finish his term, which ends in 2026.
The USOPC board of directors includes three representatives each from the Team USA Athletes’ Commission and National Governing Bodies Council, two at-large athlete seats as well as five independent board members and American members of the IOC and members of the IPC Governing Board. Sarah Hirshland, USOPC chief executive officer, serves as a non-voting member of the board.
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