[Decision Concerning FBI Employee's Claim for Reimbursement for Costs of Trying Out for Olympic Shooting Team]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requested a decision regarding an employee's claim for reimbursement for expenses he incurred in trying out for an athletic event. The claimant contended that FBI: (1) provided an airline ticket and a travel advance after initially approving his request for training funds to cover his travel and lodging expenses during the tryouts; and (2) should charge his absence from work to administrative, not annual, leave. GAO held that the: (1) tryouts did not constitute a training program, meeting, or other official business pursuant to which expense reimbursement or administrative leave would be allowed; and (2) claimant's receipt of advance funds was subject to waiver. Accordingly, the claim was denied.