The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has received a $10 million donation from the Rieschel Family Foundation to support its mental health programming.

The donation is the largest standalone gift in the history of the committee’s charitable arm and will help strengthen USOPC’s expanding mental health program. Athlete services include online counseling and access to apps that guide athletes through cognitive behavioral therapy, five full-time licensed mental health providers, and a 13-member mental health taskforce. The program’s three-phase expansion is expected to be complete in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Since 2020, the organization has hired eight licensed providers, logged 1,700 unique encounters with athletes, created a mental health registry with more than 200 participating providers across the country, and utilized mental health officers in Tokyo and Beijing during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Rieschel family’s support has already transformed the USOPC’s mental health service offerings, allowing us to better meet the needs of athletes while helping the USOPC become a world leader in athlete mental health care,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “We are thrilled that they have chosen to further invest in our mental health program and our efforts to support current and future generations of Team USA athletes on the road to Paris 2024, Milan-Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.”

“We strongly believe that our athletes engaging with their local communities will reduce the stigma associated with seeking help and create relevance for the Olympic and Paralympic movements in those communities. We must succeed in this mission if we are to guarantee safe, fair and universal sport in the United States,” said Gary Rieschel.

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