U.S. Women’s Handhandball Team Gears Up for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

In January, more than 150 women responded to a TikTok-promoted tryout in Los Angeles— a five-fold increase over previous years. After selection, a handful, including screenwriter Rylee White, relocated to Florida to join USA Handball’s national residency program. The residency’s purpose is to develop players capable of earning professional contracts overseas and to fill the 14-to-18 spots the U.S. women’s team may field at the 2028 Games.

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

As the 2028 host, the United States automatically qualifies for every Olympic sport, including women’s handball, which last appeared for the U.S. in 1996. Handball enjoys strong followings in Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, and the Balkans, where it dominates Olympic medals. In the U.S., the sport remains obscure, and most athletes transition from other disciplines in early adulthood rather than training from childhood.

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard ofUsNews and World Report

Sarah Gascon, a former national-team player, was appointed head coach to rebuild the program after years of decline. Rylee White, 27, turned to handball after a knee-injury-limited basketball and lacrosse career. Devyn Holbrook, 30, entered the sport having previously competed in ballet, soccer, basketball, softball, and javelin. Both athletes cite the residency as their primary pathway to Olympic participation.

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• Tryout attendance: ? 150 women (5× prior turnout)

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

• Residency cohort: dozens of athletes, with only 14-18 projected Olympic roster spots

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

• Funding: USA Handball receives no financial support from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC); the women’s team lacks elite-athlete health insurance and other standard resources.

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USA Handball confirmed it is the sole national governing body for an Olympic sport without USOPC funding. The organization noted that all coaching staff, including Gascon, serve as volunteers and that athletes must maintain full-time employment while training. The USOPC declined to comment on the funding gap.

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Gascon highlighted that “some of our best athletes haven’t been able to go to tournaments or go to events because they can’t afford it,” underscoring the financial barriers that limit competitive exposure and development.

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White described herself as “the most competitive person they’d ever met” and emphasized a family ethos of “big, big dreams.” She told coaches she was “ready to go do this and I will work as hard as you want me to work.” Holbrook, after only a few days of play, said she “just loved it” and felt compelled to pursue the Olympic chance before it vanished.

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

• “I think a lot of people would describe me as the most competitive person they’d ever met,” — Rylee White, athlete

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

• “I’m ready to go do this and I will work as hard as you want me to work.” — Rylee White, athlete

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

• “We’ve had great successes in my career and some really great moments but still didn’t get an opportunity to play in the Olympic Games because we just weren’t good enough,” — Sarah Gascon, head coach

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

• “Some of our best athletes haven’t been able to go to tournaments or go to events because they can’t afford it,” — Sarah Gascon, head coach

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

• “So why not give it everything that I have? And if I don’t make it, then I don’t make it.” — Devyn Holbrook, athlete

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of

The final Olympic roster will be determined a few months before the Los Angeles Games. The residency continues to prioritize skill development, with the long-term goal of placing athletes on professional European clubs, thereby enhancing the United States’ competitiveness on the international handball stage.

These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of