Sydney Barta, a member of Stanford’s track and field team, has been appointed to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Collegiate Advisory Council. The announcement was made by the USOPC on Wednesday.
Barta will begin her role at the council’s annual meeting, which will take place during the Women Leaders in Sports national convention this fall. The council is currently focusing on strategies to support and expand sport sponsorship and investment across all NCAA divisions, following recent changes such as the House v. NCAA settlement. Its main priorities include advocacy for broad-based sports, financial sustainability, and audience development.
As the first Paralympian on Stanford’s track and field roster and a representative on the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, Barta brings relevant experience to her new position. She is also part of USA Track & Field’s Tiered athlete program, won a silver medal at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships, and is a six-time Parapan American Games medalist. In addition to her athletic achievements, Barta studies bioengineering at Stanford and serves as president of Tau Beta Pi, the university’s engineering honor society.
Barta will serve as a Paralympic athlete representative on the council. “I’m proud to represent the athlete voice on the Collegiate Advisory Council and help strengthen the pathway from campus to Team USA,” said Barta. “As a current collegiate student-athlete, I’m committed to ensuring that future Olympians and Paralympians are supported, empowered and valued at every stage of their journey.”
The first meeting with new council members is scheduled for October 13 in Kansas City.
