Olympic & Paralympic Day: Celebrating Unity And The Ways The Two Movements Are Colliding

Each year on June 23, Olympic & Paralympic Day unites the world in a global celebration of sport and the powerful joy it brings to millions around the globe. But in the United States, this day has come to mean more than just honoring elite performances and historic wins — it’s about unity, and the powerful steps being taken to bring the Olympic and Paralympic movements closer together.

Nowhere is that spirit more evident than in the progress being made by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and its more than 50 National Governing Bodies (NGBs). From snow-covered slopes to icy rinks, winter sports are leading the way in merging Olympic and Paralympic pathways under one inclusive umbrella.

It was six years ago, almost to the day, that the USOPC took a landmark step. On June 20, 2019, the organization officially changed its name to include “Paralympic” — a unanimous decision by the board of directors. It wasn’t just a branding change; it was a commitment to inclusivity. That change now appears everywhere from training center signage to social media handles — a constant reminder that athletes of all abilities are central to the Team USA story.

Since then, a growing number of NGBs have followed suit, integrating their Olympic and Paralympic programs into single, cohesive structures. The result? Stronger support systems, more equitable visibility and a unified vision for the future of sport.

One of the clearest examples of this unity in action came earlier this year in Trondheim, Norway, at the 2025 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. For the first time, the International Ski Federation (FIS) included both Olympic and Paralympic events in the same championship.

“It was incredibly meaningful to be included in the FIS world championships alongside our Olympic counterparts,” said two-time Paralympian Dani Aravich, who also works part-time with the USOPC. “Sharing the same stage and racing under the same championship banner is a major step forward for Para sport. Events like this help grow our audience, foster greater understanding and show what’s possible when we build a truly unified ski community.”

The symbolic power of Trondheim was undeniable — equal billing, shared coverage and mutual celebration.

Back in the U.S., U.S. Ski & Snowboard has become a model for what integration can look like on home soil. The NGB now oversees both Olympic and Paralympic athletes, a structure that has opened new doors for collaboration, visibility and funding.

“Our U.S. national team athletes are always searching for more opportunities to train and access our sports,” said two-time Paralympic snowboarder Noah Elliott. “Para athletes have additional costs to train and compete. Medical equipment is not cheap, and is needed for everyday life.” Plus, the two-time medalist continued, “travel, food, training and sporting equipment. That is why funding and viewership of Paralympic sports needs to grow. It’s the only way we can continue to build and maintain adaptive elite-level sports.”

USA Curling and USA Hockey have also begun integrating their Olympic and Paralympic programs — with a focus on storytelling and visibility.

“At USA Curling, we have found that sharing both the Olympic and Paralympic experiences on collaborative social media accounts tells a more complete story,” said Jenna Burchesky, Director of Marketing & Strategic Initiatives at USA Curling. “Our community appreciates seeing athletes of all sports represented together.”

While hockey and curling differ in format and facility needs, their athletes share similar ambitions — to be seen, supported and celebrated. USA Hockey has similarly woven inclusive narratives into national campaigns and digital initiatives, making clear that all Team USA athletes deserve equal spotlight.

A key driver behind the integration movement has been the USOPC’s governance reform, which now mandates that at least 33.3% of every NGB’s board be composed of athletes. This ensures that athlete perspectives — across both movements — directly inform organizational decisions.

The USOPC also works closely with NGBs to develop high-performance plans that span both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. These plans offer a transparent look at how funding, services and resources are allocated. From mental health support and coaching access to facilities and equipment grants, this holistic approach helps ensure every athlete has what they need to succeed.

While the winter sports community has led many of the visible integration efforts, summer sports are rapidly catching up. USA Track & Field, one of the largest NGBs in the country, is now preparing to host the USATF Para National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, alongside the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at the end of July for the first time.

USATF CEO Max Siegel called the move a “momentous milestone” that “highlights the unifying power of sport and spirit of belonging at the heart of both movements.”

“At USATF, we’re proud of the meaningful progress made this year in bringing Para Track & Field fully under our umbrella — a historic step that underscores our commitment to inclusion and accessibility,” Siegel concluded.

This unified competition — much like Trondheim — is expected to elevate both performance and exposure for Para athletes.

Though the journey toward full unification is ongoing, the progress is undeniable. Athletes, administrators and fans alike are witnessing a transformation — one that places equity and excellence side by side.

“I am eager for many more integrated events in the future,” said Aravich. “When the world witnesses Para sport, they will be hooked!”

On Olympic & Paralympic Day, that message resonates louder than ever: We are stronger together.

Lisa Costantini has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for more than a decade, including for the International Olympic Committee. She is a freelance writer who has contributed to TeamUSA.com since 2011.