About the Class of 2022
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee are proud to present the finalists for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, Class of 2022, consisting of 15 Olympians, nine Paralympians, three Olympic teams, two Paralympic teams, six legends, three coaches and three special contributors. Team USA fans can cast their vote HERE for the Olympian, Paralympian, Olympic team and Paralympic team categories from today through May 16 to help determine the Class of 2022, which will mark the first class inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame since 2019.
The finalists will be narrowed down to five Olympians, three Paralympians, one Olympic team and one Paralympic team for induction into the class of 2022. In addition to the public vote, U.S. Olympians and Paralympians and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family will also vote on the categories of legend, coach and special contributor. The Olympic and Paralympic family consists of the Athletes’ Advisory Council, National Governing Bodies, High Performance Management Organizations, USOPC board of directors, Paralympic Advisory Council members, and select members of the media.
Nomination Criteria
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame is comprised of five categories. Nominees are considered for induction based on the achievements of their entire career, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Consideration is also given to a nominee’s character, conduct and off-field contributions, as well as their adherence to and spreading of the Olympic and Paralympic Ideals.
National Governing Bodies and members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic communities may submit hall of fame nominations for consideration by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The nominating committee then narrows down the field for the final ballot.
All Olympians, Paralympians, Olympic and Paralympic teams, coaches, and special contributors are eligible for consideration subject to the parameters below. The five categories for induction in 2022 are described below.
1. Olympian (5) & Paralympian (3)
An individual may not be considered for the Hall of Fame until four years after he or she last competed in an Olympic or Paralympic Games. Further, it is expected that individuals being considered will have formally retired from Olympic or Paralympic competition, although the USOPC recognizes that an athlete may retire and then return to competition. Individuals from team sports may also be considered if they have medaled in more than one Games. The induction class may include up to five Olympians and three Paralympians in this category.
2. Team (2) – Olympic (1) and Paralympic (1)
A team may not be considered for the Hall of Fame until four years after it last competed in an Olympic or Paralympic Games. A team consists of two or more athletes qualifying and competing in an Olympic or Paralympic event as a unit. The induction class may include up to one Olympic team and one Paralympic team.
3. Legend (2)
An Olympian, Paralympian or team may not be considered for the legend category of the Hall of Fame until 6 quadrennials (24 years) after he, she or they last competed in an Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Olympic Winter Games or Paralympic Winter Games. The induction class may include up to two legends.
4. Coach (1)
A coach may not be considered for the Hall of Fame until four years after he or she last coached a U.S. Olympic or Paralympic Team or individual at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. He or she must have served as the “coach of record” and served as part of the official U.S. Olympic or Paralympic delegation. The induction class may include up to one coach.
5. Special Contributor (1)
To be eligible, an individual must have demonstrated extraordinary service to enhancing the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the United States, excluding a current member of the USOPC staff or board of directors. Any service to the Olympic and Paralympic movements under consideration must exclude paid employment by the USOPC or an NGB. The induction class may include up to one special contributor.