The Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice released the third of its four recommendations to help the USOPC "increase institutional awareness about racial and social justice," which were developed in collaboration with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) manging director of inclusion Dr Amy Wilson.

The set of seven recommendations includes structural support for the USOPC's efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion, including metrics to assess progress.

Notably among these, the council says the USOPC should target a 15 per cent increase in the number of people from "historically underrepresented, marginalised, oppressed, or minoritised groups" to leadership positions by 15 per cent and to all staff positions by 20 per cent, achieving this by 2025.

Other metrics include gathering data on the "demographic make-up of executive leadership and board of directors" and exit interviews with "specific questions related to access, diversity, equity, and inclusion" to help inform the USOPC on barriers to racial and social justice.

National governing bodies and the USOPC are also encouraged to create regular short and long-term plans to improve access, diversity and inclusion and conduct regular assessments of its policies.

The council also placed an emphasis on involving athletes in policy development, as well as mandatory training on issues of "access, diversity, equity, and inclusion" for those in leadership positions as part of a wider educational process.

A "culture of accountability" is also deemed important by the council.

National governing bodies are advised to "identify their own access, diversity, equity, and inclusion benchmarks with a focus on hiring and retention at all levels."

It is recommended that the USOPC create an educational tool covering the role of its athletes in promoting racial and social justice, including historical examples, and address the inequalities faced by the Paralympic movement in the US through initiatives such as planning for Paralympic sports managed by the USOPC to be transferred to national governing bodies.

Introducing increased financial support and collaboration is also recommended by the council to progress access, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The establishment of an ADEI [access, diversity, equity and inclusion] Advisory Council dedicated to identifying barriers to racial and social justice, especially at grassroots level, is encouraged.

The chair of the Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice Moushaumi Robinson said the recommendations provided a means for "transformational change."

"This recommendation should serve as a playbook for our entire community," the Athens 2004 women's 4x440 metre relay gold medallist said.

"To increase awareness, presence and voice of current and former Team USA athletes, access, diversity, equity and inclusion must guide institutional practices and procedures.

"This represents transformational change in action."

The first two recommendations of the council, created more than a year ago, covered athletes' right to protest and demonstrations and athlete advocacy.

The final set of recommendations covering racism, discrimination and the reporting and resolution processes are set to be released later this year.