USA Weightlifting Board Approves Updated Stipend System

March 31, 2023

The USA Weightlifting Board of Directors Wednesday (March 29, 2023) approved an updated athlete stipend system to help the organization deliver on its mission to support American athletes in achieving excellence in Olympic and World competition. 

With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games less than 16 months away, the evolution of the stipend system is designed to better support athletes who have the greatest potential for success at the Games, both in the short term and in the future.

The updated stipend system, which takes effect April 1, 2023, proactively supports those athletes most likely to participate at the 2024 Olympic Games, key IWF and Pan American Olympic qualifiers, and medal at IWF-sanctioned international events. 

"We believe that the updated stipend system better reflects our commitment to supporting the athletes who have the greatest potential for sustained success at the highest level of competition in our sport," said Matt Sicchio, CEO of USA Weightlifting.

Some major changes include the former “Medal” and “Gold” levels changing to Paris A and Paris B Funding Levels, with funding closely linked to where athletes are ranked relative to the Olympic Qualifying Ranking (OQR).

“We want to emphasize that this new stipend system does not involve cuts to our overall budget for athlete funding. Instead, we are realigning that funding to set up Team USA for a strong showing in Paris, and to build and sustain a strong pipeline of future champions,” Sicchio said.

To further support up-and-coming athletes, the revised stipend system creates a new Developmental Level in place of the former Silver and Bronze levels. Athletes in this Developmental Level have a high potential for LA 2028 and the 2024-2028 quadrennial, and will receive services from USA Weightlifting’s world-class athlete support service providers (e.g., performance psychology, biomechanics) in addition to entry-level funding.

“Through the introduction of the new Developmental Level, we're looking to build a stronger foundation for the sport, with a particular focus on identifying and supporting promising youth, junior and 23U athletes transitioning out of the junior level," Sicchio said.

Download the updated stipend system document here.