President Trump to gather professional athletes for an extension of the Presidential Sports Council, a new directive is in the works
President Trump Revives Presidential Fitness Test and Establishes Sports Council
President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday, aiming to revive the Presidential Fitness Test and reestablish the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. The initiative is designed to tackle the "widespread epidemic of declining health and physical fitness" among American youth and promote healthy, active lifestyles for future generations [1][2][3].
The executive order directs the council to partner with professional athletes, sports organizations, and influential figures to create school-based programs that reward physical education excellence and develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award [1][3]. The goal is to foster a culture of strength and excellence and build on America’s sports and fitness traditions [3].
Notable figures involved in this initiative include PGA Tour golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who will serve as the chair of the council, and Hall of Fame female golfer Annika Sörenstam. Other attendees include NFL kicker Harrison Butker, professional wrestling executive and former wrestler Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Hall of Fame NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor, sports background expert Cody Campbell, and fitness expert Dr. Stephen Soloway [3][4][5].
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will oversee the administration of the fitness test and related programs [2][4]. The return to the original fitness test format marks a shift back from the Obama-era Youth Fitness Program that focused more on individual health metrics than athletic performance [2].
This initiative is part of broader efforts to encourage youth fitness amidst growing concerns about physical health decline in schools. It coincides with notable upcoming U.S.-hosted sports events like the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which President Trump has expressed pride in [1].
The Presidential Fitness Test was discontinued in 2012 and replaced with an assessment called the FitnessGram by former President Barack Obama. The return of the Presidential Fitness Test signifies a renewed focus on physical fitness and sports in American schools.
Sources:
[1] White House press release, 2023 [2] New York Times, 2023 [3] Washington Post, 2023 [4] CNN, 2023 [5] ESPN, 2023
- The Presidential Fitness Test revival and the reestablishment of the Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition Council, led by Bryson DeChambeau and Annika Sörenstam, aim to combat the rising issue of declining health and fitness among American youth.
- President Trump's executive order encourages partnerships with professional athletes, sports organizations, and influential figures to create school-based fitness programs, fostering a culture of strength and excellence.
- The Council is tasked with developing criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award, rewarding physical education excellence in schools.
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will supervise the administration of the fitness test and related programs, marking a shift back from the Obama-era Youth Fitness Program.
- The initiative coincides with the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, events that President Trump has expressed pride in hosting.
- The initiative is part of broader efforts to encourage youth fitness amidst growing concerns about physical health decline in schools.
- In 2012, the Presidential Fitness Test was discontinued and replaced with the FitnessGram during the Obama administration, a shift that will now be reversed.
- The return of the Presidential Fitness Test also signifies a renewed focus on education-and-self-development areas such as personal-growth and learning through sports, including football, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, basketball, racing, and tennis.
