USOPC cuts over 100 jobs amid pandemic
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee said in a staff memo that it would be eliminating 107 jobs given the financial impact of COVID-19 on the organization.
According to the message obtained by KRDO Thursday, Sarah Hirshland with USOPC said the cuts are a decision to reduce the organization's expenses by 10-20% over the 2020-2024 period. Hirshland said the positions of 51 team members have been eliminated, 33 have been placed on furlough and 23 temporary workers have had their assignments ended.
"You may remember that on April 21st we came together to discuss the impact of the Tokyo Games postponement and the COVID 19 virus on our organization’s financial stability," reads the memo in part. "I explained that the revenue we projected to collect this year, and in future years, would decline. As a result of that, we decided to proactively reduce our expenses by 10-20% over the 2020-2024 timeframe to ensure we will be able to deliver against our mission and serve Team USA athletes for years to come."
Hirshland said the reduced workforce was selected to prioritize needs of the organization and carry it through the next four and a half years. She said it will likely take months before USOPC is able to return to full operation.
The changes will be reviewed Tuesday during a virtual town hall, said Hirshland.
