Jim Copeland rode in the Team Time Trial for the United States at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the team finishing 10th. His brother, Dirk Copeland competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics in team pursuit. Jim turned professional after the Seoul Olympics, competing through the 1998 season. He started out with Subaru-Montgomery and then rode for Chevrolet-LA Sheriff for five years, before finishing his career with minor teams in 1997-98. Copeland rode almost exclusively in the United States where he won numerous one-day races and several stages in stage races.