Meeting began with introductions of all AAC reps and alternates. Of the approximate 45 AAC reps, roughly 24 were new to this quad with remaining being 2nd term representatives.

Outgoing Chair of the AAC, Rachel Godino (figure skating) gave a brief overview of the purpose of the AAC, essentially that the AAC was formed from former/current athletes as an advocacy group for athlete rights in the Olympic process. The primary goal is to represent/champion those rights to the USOC and help to ensure that the USOC keeps policy in line to ultimately benefit the US athlete, not always easily accomplished.

John Ruger, the current athlete Ombudsman, spoke about athlete rights throughout the Olympic process regardless of the sport they participate. All sailing athletes should know that John Ruger is there as a contact should any sailor need support on any issue. He can be contacted at 888-ATHLETE. Additionally, Rebeccca Crawford is the sports partner for sailing and is there to help the NGB of sailing with issues that translate from the USOC to sailing, such as budgets, funding etcŠ. She can be reached at 719-866-2244

Next was the CEO report from John Scherr, who is currently the temporary/acting CEO while an active search is going on to permanently fill the position. The USOC board has gone through a tremendous transition from 125 board members to 11 members, of which 2 board members are elected from the AAC. The previous board was much too large and inefficient to get anything done. Now streamlined to 11 members, it was felt that real progress can be made both operationally and in planning on the part of the USOC.

The rest of Saturday was spent on elections for the AAC At-Large members and Officers consisting of 6 At-Large members and 3 Officers (Chair and 2 Vice-Chairs). Mark Henderson (Swimming) was elected to chair the AAC and will guide AAC leadership going forward over the next 4 years.

Election of one AAC rep to serve on the board of the USOC Foundation was postponed until April. The USOC Foundation was established in 1984 as endowment for sports in the US Olympic movement. It was created from the money generated by the 1984 Olympic coin program and a portion of the surplus from the 84 L.A. Games. The returns from the endowment are used to make an annual grant of 5 percent of the Foundations net assets to the USOC to promote Olympic related sports in the United States. Currently, there is approximately 240 million dollars in the USOC Foundation. Two AAC reps serve on this board for 4 year terms of which 2 years are overlapping with each other.

Sunday, more discussion pertaining to USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) involving the purpose of the organization, role of the AAC with USADA, policy and budget discussions occurred. Bottom line, the cost of testing is ever increasing due to frequency and complexity of testing. In terms of the athlete, USADA¹s ultimate goal is to prepare the athlete to know their rights and what to expect when tested internationally.

Lastly, AAC reps broke out into small focus groups to discuss areas of concern for each of the respective sports. Concerns ranged from NGB control over the athlete to promotion of sport and funding of the athlete.

Meeting adjourned 12:00 noon.

Respectfully submitted,

Henry Filter

AAC alternate