The Culture of a Team

There are many components to athletic success, from high-performance training to perfecting sport skills. But underlying every successful team is a culture that fosters an atmosphere of success. On the eve of team trials and a fall training camp at Soldier Hollow, veteran U.S. Biathlon Team athletes Kelsey Dickinson and Chloe Levins joined Heartbeat podcast host Tom Kelly for an in-depth look at the athlete-led initiative to build a values-based, positive team culture.

In addition to competing on the international biathlon stage, both Dickinson and Levins have taken on leadership roles, serving as athlete representatives to both the U.S. Biathlon Board of Directors and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Quite simply, “Our role is really to represent the athlete voice in any decisions being made by US Biathlon,” said Dickinson.

However, one of their most impactful roles over the last year has been their engagement with both teammates and U.S. Biathlon staff in building a recognizable team culture, including the identification of a set of values that staff and athletes can all rally around.

US Biathlon Values

• Respect
• Grit
• Growth Mindset

“We decided that we could all stand by these,” said Levins. “They represent who we want to be, how we want to show up as Team USA – as the staff wants to show up for the athletes, as the athletes want to show up for the staff, and the greater organization as a whole and their country.

“It was a really special thing to be a part of!”

The values were adopted by athletes and staff together after a series of group sessions that began at the Vuokatti training camp before last season.

“We’re looking at this from the perspective of emphasizing that we are a values-led organization,” sai Dickinson. “And creating those values that we can come together around and use to have discussions and support each other, and also hold each other accountable.”

Want to hear more? Listen in on the new season six of Heartbeat as Chloe Levins and Kelsey Dickinson dive deep into the value-backed culture created by the U.S. Biathlon Team.

ATHLETE OUTREACH
Athletes, want to reach out to your US Biathlon athlete representatives? Simply send an email to: athletereps(@)usbiathlon.org.

PAST EPISODES WITH CHLOE & KELSEY

Kesley Dickinson: Athlete & Advocate (April 2025)

Chloe Levins: Bouncing Back (Nov. 2022)

Kelsey Dickinson: Nordic Culture of the Methow Valley (Dec. 2021)

Chloe Levins: From Fairway to Biathlon Range (Sept. 2020)