USOPC Announces the Team USA Athlete Recovery Program in Partnership with Eli Lilly and Company

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) today announced the Team USA Athlete Recovery Program in partnership with Lilly, reinforcing a shared commitment across multiple years to fostering athlete health, recovery, and well-being beyond competition.

As presenting partner, Lilly will support access to the Team USA Athlete Recovery Program following the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and through the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This partnership underscores Lilly's long-term commitment to Team USA, building on their role as an Official Partner in Health Equity.

The Team USA Athlete Recovery Program in partnership with Lilly provides targeted rehabilitation support for athletes managing complex or extended recovery needs. Rooted in a commitment to prioritize athletes' health beyond competition, the program reflects a focus on expanding access to long-term recovery support through holistic care.

"Every Team USA athlete faces unique challenges on the road to recovery," said Dr. Jonathan Finnoff, chief medical officer, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. "The program provides the expertise, coordinated care, and support to help them navigate these journeys, whether returning to sport or finding their next chapter. Together with our partner Lilly, we're proud to share these stories and inspire fans around the world."

The USOPC piloted the program in 2024, supporting 10 Team USA athletes — six of whom qualified for and collectively earned four medals, including two gold medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Following the success of the program ahead of Paris 2024, the USOPC plans to expand the program to reach a larger network of Team USA athletes over the next three years. Lilly's collaboration will support access to the program and spotlight the athlete experience by increasing awareness around the program as an important part of Team USA's holistic support for athletes through every stage of their journey.

"In sports and in science, progress is built through perseverance," said Jennifer Oleksiw, global chief customer officer at Lilly. "Through our expanded partnership with Team USA, Lilly is supporting access to holistic long-term support that helps athletes recover and continue to chase their dreams of representing Team USA. It's a commitment rooted in our belief that the pursuit of health is never over."

As the presenting partner, Lilly will collaborate with the USOPC on storytelling that showcases recovery journeys in an effort to raise awareness of the comprehensive ecosystem available to Team USA athletes.    

"The Athlete Recovery Program played a huge part in getting me to the start line and ultimately becoming Paralympic Champion in Paris 2024," said U.S. Paralympic triathlete Grace Norman. "I entered the Paralympic year with an injury, but my goal never changed. The program gave me access to a world-class and coordinated team that allowed me to train, recover, and prepare all in one place."

This program and supporting activities are designed to reach athletes, National Governing Bodies, fans, media, donors, and policymakers — demonstrating accountability, public benefit, and long-term impact as the United States prepares to host a decade of Olympic and Paralympic Games.    

"Surgeries on my injured shoulder, biceps, and elbow threatened my Olympic dream," said U.S. Olympic Wrestler Josef Rau. "The Athlete Recovery Program and the USOPC were pivotal in giving me a dedicated team that coordinated the most comprehensive care I've ever experienced, and I'm forever grateful for the support that got me to Paris."

About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I-LLY

About USOPC
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. The USOPC is focused on protecting, supporting and empowering America's athletes, and is responsible for fielding U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, and serving as the steward of the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the U.S. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company