Does the US government sponsor certain athletes for competition like other countries (China for example)?

Question

Throughout the Olympics you constantly hear that such and such athlete has been groomed since age "barely" to be a gymnast or swimmer or whatever. Is there such a program in the US or is it just other countries way of trying to put forth high quality athletes?

Answer 1

Not in the US.  Most of our athletes are home grown, their parents foot the bill.  Some after they've achieved certain status get to stay at the Olympic Training Centers and become resident athletes, but that's only a very select number.