10 USC 717 - Members of the armed forces: participation in international sports

U.S Code last checked for updates: Dec 13, 2025

§ 717.

Members of the armed forces: participation in international sports

(a)

The Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, may permit members of the armed forces under his jurisdiction to train for, attend, and participate in any of the following sports competitions:

(1)

The Pan-American Games and the Olympic Games, and qualifying events and preparatory competition for those games.

(2)

The Paralympic Games, if eligible to participate in those games, and qualifying events and preparatory competition for those games.

(3)

Any other international competition in amateur sports, if the Secretary of State determines that the interests of the United States will be served by participation in that competition, and qualifying events and preparatory competition for that competition.

(b)

Subject to subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security, as the case may be, may spend such funds, and acquire and use such supplies, as he determines to be necessary to provide for—

(1)

the training of members of the armed forces for the competitions covered by subsection (a);

(2)

their attendance at and participation in those competitions; and

(3)

the training of animals of the armed forces for, and their attendance at and participation in, those competitions.

(c)

(1)

Not more than $3,000,000, to be apportioned among the military departments as the Secretary of Defense prescribes, may be spent during each successive four-year period beginning on October 1, 1980, for the participation of members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force in the competitions covered by subsection (a).

(2)

Not more than $100,000 may be spent during each successive four-year period beginning on October 1, 1980, for the participation of members of the Coast Guard in the competitions covered by subsection (a).

(d)

Appropriations available to the Department of Defense or to the Department of Homeland Security, as the case may be, may be used to carry out this section.

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, § 1(17), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1442, § 716; renumbered § 717,

cite as: 10 USC 717