Originally Posted by
jsmeeker
My recollection is that the USOC will provide a coach class round trip ticket to each athlete. Of course, Team USA is large, and comprised of teams within. (Swimming, Gymnastics, Basketball, etc. etc.) Each team may have their athletes fly together based on their needs, schedules, etc. Also, if individual athletes wanted to upgrade using miles or whatever, I believe it was allowed, assuming there was no team rule that said "everyone flies in the same cabin"
The athletes also like to play the upgrade game like any other traveler. Dana Vollmer, who went on to win gold in the 100 butterfly in world record time in London, was tweeting earlier this summer about trying to wrangle an upgrade for FC returning from Omaha (US Olympic Trials) to her home near San Francisco.
In many sports, not everyone returns to their home country st the same time and place. I know a number of the swimmers were planning on spending a few days on vacation in Amsterdam after the closing ceremonies while others went straight back to the State to get ready for school and more training. And track & field has a lot of pro meets in Europe throughout the summer, so most of the elite athletes head right off for the next meet where their event if offered and the prize money is good.