Sports Envoy Program

Sports Envoys are recruited by the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Diplomacy Division in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in collaboration with American professional sports leagues, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committees, and national sports federations. Overseas, the Sports Diplomacy Division partners with U.S. embassy and consulate colleagues to implement Sports Envoy programs. A U.S. nonprofit organization serves as the logistical implementing partner.

The Sports Envoy program recruits passionate, community-oriented professional athletes to promote cross-cultural understanding, engage underserved communities, and empower the next generation of athletes as leaders through sport.

Over 300 Sports Envoys representing 24 different sports have traveled on behalf of the United States Government to deliver high-impact programming and improve bilateral relations. A sample of Sports Envoys can be found below

American Sports Envoys
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Cal Ripken, Jr.: Hall of Fame Baseball Player

  • China 2007
  • Nicaragua 2008
  • Japan 2011
  • Czech Republic 2018
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Ken Griffey, Jr.: Hall of Fame Baseball Player

  • Philippines 2011
  • Mexico & Cuba 2014
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Michelle Kwan: World Champion Figure Skater

  • China 2007
  • Russia 2007
  • Argentina 2008
  • Ukraine 2009
  • South Korea 2010
  • Singapore 2011
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125
Countries
Envoys have traveled to every continent (except Antarctica) and over 125 countries around the world.
25
different sports
Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball,Paralympic Athletes,Running,Skateboarding,Beach Volleyball, Field Hockey,Triathlon/Cycling,Wheelchair Basketball,Boxing,Adapted Swimming,Judo,Olympic Swimming,Distance Running,Self Defense,Referees,Baseball,etc.
135+
Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Olympic and Paralympic Athletes