Steve Roush Resigns as United States Olympic Committee Chief of Sport Performance

(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) - The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced today the resignation of Steve Roush as the organization's Chief of Sport Performance.

Roush, 50, has held the position since March 2003 - first on an interim basis and then full time beginning in May 2004.  He joined the USOC in July 2000 as a Sport Partnership Director after serving as Assistant Executive Director of USA Swimming from 1994-2000. 

As Chief of Sport Performance, Roush oversaw the various USOC divisions responsible for providing benefits and services to America's athletes and National Governing Bodies.  During his tenure, United States Teams achieved unprecedented success in the Olympic Games, including record-setting performances at the 2008 Beijing Games (110 medals, the most ever for a U.S. Team in a full-participation Games) and the 2006 Torino Winter Games (25, the most ever for a U.S. Winter Team competing outside the United States).

"Steve's unwavering commitment to excellence on the field of play will be the hallmark of his tenure at the USOC," Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr said.  "He has been tireless in making certain our athletes and NGBs have the resources and support they need to excel.  We thank Steve for his many contributions to the U.S. Olympic Committee and wish him nothing but continued success in his career."

"Since the conclusion of the Beijing Games, I have had time to reflect and think about whether the time is right to pursue some new opportunities professionally," Roush said.  "While the decision to leave the USOC is not easy, I am confident the time is right.  With the support of the USOC Board of Directors, Management Team and Sport Performance staff, we have put in place a number of programs that will enable America's athletes and NGBs to sustain their competitive excellence well into the future.  I am proud of that and grateful for having had the opportunity to serve this great Movement."

Roush's resignation is effective this month.  The USOC will conduct a nationwide search to identify a new Chief of Sport Performance.  

For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at (719) 866-4529.