The eyes of the world turned to Paris on July 26, 2024, for the XXXIII Olympiad. The Games’ Opening Ceremony featured over 10,000 athletes who earned the right to represent their country and compete for Olympic Gold over the following sixteen days. Throughout the course of Paris 2024, sports fans around the world learned of the journeys taken by many of the athletes to earn the right to compete on a global stage.

While many of the stories told during the Games shine light on people who support athletes on their journey, there are often countless others who go unnoticed or unrecognized. Many of these unnoticed or unrecognized individuals support the Olympic Movement by working at a national sport governing body (NGB). The purpose of an NGB is to grow interest and participation in their sport; provide a training and competitive pathway to success on international stages; and sanction competitions that allow athletes of all ages and abilities to compete.

Just over five years ago, UISRM began to intentionally shed light on the Olympic Movement, NGBs, and the career opportunities within them. Initially, program faculty sought and shared NGB internship opportunities with students via program announcements, individual conversations, and its private LinkedIn Group. Shortly thereafter, alumna Tina Cardamone (BS 2018) accepted a position with the US Soccer Federation. Later in 2019, alumna Morgan (Rabine) Benham (BS 2017, pictured top right) secured full-time employment with USA Wrestling. While Morgan continues to work for USA Wrestling, Tina transitioned to NGB US Sailing in 2022. 

From these first steps, Professor Jeremy Parrish delivered the first Team USA guided field experience practicum in 2021. Subsequent iterations of the practicum visited the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Training Center in Colorado Springs. Here, students gained a deeper understanding of the Olympic Movement and received a behind-the-scenes look at the many career opportunities within NGBs. This is UIowa featured the Team USA practicum in 2022. The highlight video accessible above shares more of the Team USA practicum student experience in Colorado Springs.

Awareness for roles within NGBs and at other organizations in support of the Olympic Movement continued to grow among UISRM alumni. Lindsay Welker (BS 2019, MA 2021) began working with NGB USA Triathlon in June 2021 before transitioning to the USA Triathlon Foundation one year later. At the same time, Bri Lantrip (BS 2019, MA 2020, pictured above right) interned with TrackTown USA located in Eugene, Oregon before joining full-time in August. While not an NGB itself, TrackTown USA partners with NBG USA Track & Field to deliver collegiate, national, and international championships, including the 2024 Olympic Trials. Finally, Greta Rux (BS 2019, pictured below) built her experience portfolio in support of the Olympic Movement with work at United Soccer Coaches, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, and American Junior Golf Association to secure her current position with NGB USA Volleyball in March 2023.

In celebrating individuals with UISRM roots who support Olympians, the story isn’t complete without mentioning Sarah (Arens) Wilhelmi (MA 2005). UISRM honored Sarah as a 2020 Dr. Michael Teague All-Star Award recipient. After early-career experiences with the USOPC and in intercollegiate athletics, Sarah returned to the USOPC in 2016 as the Senior Director of Collegiate Partnerships. This is UIowa detailed her journey from Iowa City to the Olympics in 2022. There is no question that in her role Sarah helped unlock and provide support to a strong contingent of US Olympians at the 2024 Paris Games and in earlier Olympics.

As you have cheered on Team USA to the close of the Paris 2024 Olympics and beyond, UISRM asks you to remember those who support Olympians and the Olympic Movement. While some of an athlete’s support team is recognized, know that are countless others like Morgan, Tina, Lindsay, Bri, Greta, and Sarah who helped fuel Olympic success.