An Olympic year always brings energy and excitement. From the thrill of competition to the pride of national teams, athletes push themselves to the limit on the world stage. But beyond the medal counts and scores, there’s another story happening quietly in legislatures across the country. Lawmakers are using the season to introduce bills and resolutions that intersect with the Olympics in meaningful ways, from supporting athletes to commemorating historic victories to preparing cities for future Games.
It might seem unusual, but these measures offer a pretty cool look at how public policy intersects with sport while telling a bigger story about how society values achievement, legacy, and opportunity.
Supporting Athletes Through Education
One of the most creative Olympic-related bills, NY A761, focuses on helping athletes pursue their dreams outside of competition. Take a New York law that allows out-of-state Olympic athletes training in the state to pay in-state tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools. Athletes must be enrolled in elite programs approved by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, linking policy directly to performance. The bill, passed at the end of 2025, shows one way lawmakers are aiming to support Olympic development, reducing barriers in education rather than providing direct funding.
By creating opportunities for athletes off the field, lawmakers set the stage to honor those who have already made history. Let’s now move onto one of the most iconic US Olympic stories…and a bill to match.
Remembering the Miracle on Ice
Few moments in Olympic history carry as much cultural weight as the 1980 US hockey victory over the Soviet Union. During the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, a team of largely young and amateur US hockey players defeated the dominant Soviet Union squad, a moment in history becoming known as ‘The Miracle on Ice’. Beyond a sporting upset, the victory became a symbol of national pride during an incredibly tense period of the Cold War.
The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act awards the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, to the members of that 1980 men’s Olympic hockey team. By codifying this recognition, Congress affirms the cultural and historical significance of the Miracle on Ice and ensures the story is preserved for future generations. Passed at the end of 2025, the resolution demonstrates how ceremonial bills can create enduring public memory around exceptional athletic achievement. But these aren’t the only Olympians that are on Congress’s radar…
Olympic Achievement on the Legislative Record
Ceremonial resolutions recognizing athletes remain one of the most common forms of Olympic-related legislation. These bills provide an official record of achievement, highlight excellence, and signal legislative acknowledgment of athletes’ broader contributions.
Some measures focus on state-level achievements. For example, a joint resolution proposed this month honors Colorado athletes who are competing in the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, highlighting not only their individual success but also the state’s role in developing elite athletes through facilities like the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. The bill also recognized the support of families, coaches, and local communities, illustrating how Olympic performance often depends on a broader network of people and resources.
Other resolutions celebrate individual athletes and their careers. Illinois lawmakers have been excited about congratulating some athletes this year! Olivia Smoliga, a two-time Olympic swimmer who won medals at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games and earned multiple international championship titles, is the focus of IL HR180. Her resolution also highlighted her work mentoring young swimmers through her In Depth Swim Academy, demonstrating the ongoing influence Olympians can have after competition. Similarly, Talia Halvorsen, a young boxer from Illinois, was recognized for her success in youth national championships, participation in US Olympic trials, and early professional victories. These resolutions highlight not only medal-winning performances but also the dedication, training, and early career achievements that shape Olympic athletes.
Some other bills honor athletes with long-standing historical significance. Michael K. “Mike” Durkin, a middle-distance runner who competed in the 1976 Olympics, was recognized with HR 515 for his athletic achievements alongside his professional career as a lawyer, exemplifying how Olympic discipline can translate into leadership beyond sport. Walter “Thane” Baker, a sprinter who won multiple medals in the 1952 and 1956 Summer Games, was honored for both his competitive success and decades of mentorship and officiating in track and field. Similarly, with HR19 Pennsylvania designated “Jim Thorpe Day” to recognize the extraordinary career of Thorpe, a Native American athlete who won gold in the 1912 Olympics in both the pentathlon and decathlon and later helped shape professional football. These resolutions highlight achievements that combine athletic excellence with long-term cultural or civic impact.
Modern athletes who continue to influence their sports are also recognized. A’ja Wilson, one of the most successful professional basketball players in the WNBA for the Las Vegas Aces, was honored for her record-setting scoring, multiple MVP awards, and Olympic gold medals. Peter Westbrook, an Olympic fencing bronze medalist, was recognized with US House Resolution 758 for not only for his athletic career but for founding the Peter Westbrook Foundation, which provides fencing instruction, academic support, and mentorship for underserved youth.
Taken together, these resolutions illustrate our national focus on documenting Olympic achievement, supporting athlete legacies, and highlighting the broader social and community impact of elite sport. The only thing it seems we love more than celebrating these athletes is…getting to host the games ourselves!
Federal Considerations for Hosting the Games
With the United States scheduled to host the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Congress has introduced legislation addressing both symbolic recognition and operational planning. One bill, HR4382, authorizes the US Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 2028 and 2034 Games. The legislation specifies coin types, metals, and design requirements, and directs that surcharges from coin sales be used to support Olympic and Paralympic organizing committees. The bill is structured to avoid net cost to the federal government, but still sits with the House Committee on Financial Services.
Another measure, the Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act, proposes a federal grant program to assist host cities with transportation planning and infrastructure improvements. It also requires federal studies on the economic impact of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, with reports to be submitted to Congress. The net cost of hosting the games on states is a big detractor to states entering a bid to host as Olympic hosting is both a logistical and economic policy issue, along with being awesome, fun, and cool!
States Eying Future Games
States are also using legislation to explore or support future Olympic-related hosting. In Ohio, lawmakers passed a resolution, HR101, endorsing Cleveland’s bid to host the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games, citing the event’s impact on athletes with intellectual disabilities and the city’s demonstrated capacity to host large-scale competitions.
In Vermont, proposed H367 would establish a Vermont Olympics Task Force to evaluate the feasibility of hosting an Olympic Games under the International Olympic Committee’s revised host selection process. The task force is directed to examine sustainability, housing, transportation, environmental protection, and long-term economic effects, with required reports to the legislature. As no surprise, it's been referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
As a Coloradan, I always wanted us to host the Olympics, but it is a huge economic burden on the state, so we haven’t yet explored a bid. I wonder if I’ll soon see state-level legislation like this, showcasing that preparing for the Olympics isn’t just about the spotlight, it’s about long-term planning and ensuring communities are ready to host large-scale international events.
Conclusion
Sport has always been a central part of American culture, from local fields and rinks to the global stage of the Olympics. The dedication, teamwork, and perseverance on display in every event reflect values that resonate far beyond the scoreboard. The legislative activity around the Olympics (from commemorative resolutions and athlete support measures to infrastructure planning and feasibility studies) shows that this spirit is not just celebrated in arenas, but formally recognized and recorded by lawmakers.
These bills are more than paperwork. They are a reflection of the culture of the United States: a society that honors achievement, invests in opportunity, and cherishes stories of resilience and excellence. Whether remembering the Miracle on Ice, supporting modern athletes, or preparing communities to host future Games, the legislation surrounding the Olympics underscores how deeply sport is woven into the national identity and civic life. Even in complex times, the laws we pass show that the pursuit of excellence and the celebration of achievement remain a defining part of who we are.
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