The Wall Street Journal reported the USOPC asked for the money to address the shortfall for athletes and National Governing Bodies (NGB) because of the impact of the COVID-19 virus.

According to reports, the USOPC wanted $150 million (£121 million/€135 million) for its NGBs and $50 million (£40 million/€45 million) for athletes.

The Senate rejected the request and the USOPC, which operates as a financially self-sustaining organisation and does not receive federal funding, was not included in the package passed by the House of Representatives today.

USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland insisted the money would not have been paid directly to the organisation.

"The USOPC did not and is not asking for any funding for our organisation," Hirshland told the Wall Street Journal. 

"The request for funds to be paid directly to athletes and NGBs was made in light of the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 virus on our domestic sport community."

The US has reported the largest number of cases of COVID-19 in the world, surpassing China, where the virus originated.

There have been over 98,000 confirmed infections and more than 1,500 deaths in the US.

Over 26,000 people worldwide have died from COVID-19, which has infected more than 586,000.

The outbreak forced the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games until no later than the summer of 2021.

The USOPC was among the organisations to call for a delay to the Games in response to the pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on athletes' training plans and qualification.