The United States Olympic Committee today announced plans to host the inaugural American Development Model Workshop Aug. 18-19 at the University of Delaware’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research Campus and Bob Carpenter Center. Representatives from more than 25 National Governing Bodies are expected to attend along with other key athlete development influencers from within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family.
The American Development Model is designed to help Americans realize their full athletic potential and utilize sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle. The five-stage model illustrates an athlete’s advancement through a preferred pathway, and supports a healthy sport experience based on the individual’s physical, mental and emotional development.
“We embrace the long-term athlete development principles that allow American youth to maximize their full potential,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “The goal is to keep more Americans engaged in sport longer by creating positive, healthy experiences for athletes at every level.”
The American Development Model was initiated in 2009 by USA Hockey, which partnered with the USOC in 2014 in an effort to broaden long-term athlete development benefits across all sports in the U.S.