#SportsDiplomacy - Sports Visitor Program 2024

Sports Visitor Program






Sports Visitors are young non-elite athletes and coaches chosen by U.S. missions overseas to visit the United States for a fast-paced two week exchange program. 

These sports-themed programs offer participants the opportunity to interact with Americans and experience American society, culture, and values firsthand. 

The activities include sessions on nutrition, strength and conditioning, gender equity in sport, Title IX, sport and disability, and team building. Special emphasis is placed on the visitors’ development of personal action plans that they use upon their return home.

June 15- June 30, 2024

5 Italian Teenage Girls and 1 Italian Female Coach were selected by the U.S. Mission to Italy to attend a 15 Day program in Los Angeles.  

A group of 50 female teenage girls from around the world attended the Julie Foudy International Leadership Academy in Los Angeles with a fantastic experience including soccer training and a leadership curriculum emphasizing mental health, leadership, and resilience.  

Meet Julie Foudy and some of the young women from previous years in this VIDEO

In addition they had a full immersion in American culture including life on the USC Campus, Hiking on the Hollywood Hills, Attending a professional soccer game as flagbearers, and more.  

2 representatives from Trieste!

Elena Spinelli - Adult Coach / Mentor

Alessia Pittone - Student Participant