Instead of $1 million (£608,000) they now hope to raise $2 million (£1.2 million).

 

Visa, a long-time Olympic sponsor has created even more incentive to make a donation to the US teams as they have to promised match monies raised by the USOC during the period May 22 to July 4.

 

For every dollar sent by the challenge deadline, Visa will designate another $1 (61p) from their sponsorship for a total of $2 (£1.2), up to a maximum of $500,000 (£304,049).

 

Whatever citizens send will be doubled, as long as the USOC receives it by Independence Day.

 

Stephanie Streeter, the acting chief executive of the USOC, said: "My business experience tells me that we can hit this higher fundraising target if we work hard together with our partners.

 

"Our research tells us again and again that Americans really care about the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams and want to support them.

 

"Every donation counts and can make a big difference in the lives of our Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls."

 

The "America Supports Team USA" initiative celebrates patriotism and raises money to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls.

 

The campaign tagline, "Together We Win," underscores the importance that private donations play in providing Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls with essential programmes and services designed to "achieve sustained competitive excellence and to preserve the Olympic Ideals, and thereby inspire all Americans" as stated in the USOC Mission statement, Streeter said.

 

In conjunction with the international observance of Olympic Day tomorrow Chicago 2016, the USOC and the City of Chicago are leading efforts to commemorate Olympic Day with celebrations across the country.

 

Mayors from across the US will join in proclaiming the day Olympic Day in their communities, and Chicago 2016 and the USOC are encouraging communities to host events that promote physical activity and sport participation, as well as support the Olympic values of fair play, cooperation and respect for others.

 

Activities range from rowing demonstrations in Philadelphia with US Rowing and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, to a fun run in Honolulu with Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

 

Olympic Day is a worldwide commemoration of Baron Pierre de Coubertin's June 23, 1894, convening of the first International Olympic Committee meeting at the Sorbonne in Paris, and the founding of the Modern Olympic Games. National Olympic Committees throughout the world will participate in the international celebration, with each Olympic Committee sending Olympic Day greetings to participating nations.