H.R. 5021 — American Decade of Sports Act

This section directs the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State to submit to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (1) an initial 5-year sports diplomacy strategy not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act and (2) a subsequent 5-year strategy not later than 5 years after the initial submission. Each strategy must include (1) diplomatic objectives and success metrics related to the mega-decade of sports (i.e., major U.S.-hosted sporting events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics); (2) a plan to partner with local host cities, diaspora communities, creatives, athletes, sports industry, private sector, human rights organizations, and civil society to showcase U.S. strengths and forge diplomatic connections; (3) an internal coordination plan to advance diplomatic efforts, including integration into regional bureaus' bilateral engagements, public diplomacy for new audiences, and commercial diplomacy; (4) a plan for expeditious and secure visas for athletes, families, support staff, and international visitors, including reduced appointment wait times; (5) required financial and personnel support; and (6) plans to deploy domestic public diplomacy resources (e.g., Cultural Unit and Foreign Press Center from the 1984 Olympics). The strategies must be publicly posted on the department's website not later than 180 days after enactment and 5 years later, respectively; and prior to submission, the Assistant Secretary must consult with the committees, with implementation updates provided every 180 days through December 31, 2034.

This section requires the Secretary of State, no later than 90 days after enactment, to rename the Department's sports diplomacy division as the Office of Sports Diplomacy, reporting directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with responsibility for managing sports diplomacy exchange programs and implementing strategies required by section 2(a) through coordination across Department bureaus; engagement with host cities, diaspora communities, U.S. sports industry, arts creators, and trade offices; and expedited visa processing for international visitors, athletes, and broadcasters. The section further requires the Secretary, no later than 180 days after enactment and until December 31, 2034, to assign at least 3 additional full-time equivalent staff—dedicated and not dual-hatted—to the Office using flexible hiring authorities (e.g., Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas) or realignment of existing personnel.

This section directs the Secretary of State to submit to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations a report on progress toward achieving the Act's objectives, not later than one year after submission of the strategy required by section 2(a) and annually thereafter until December 31, 2034.

This section defines the terms “mega-decade of sports” and “American decade of sports” as the major international sporting competitions hosted in the United States between 2024 and 2034, including the 2024 Copa America, 2025 Club World Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.