Stephen A. Schwarzman Increases 2020 Support to $875,000 - 100 Track & Field Elite Athletes Receive New Grants

NEW YORK CITY -- The postponement of the 2020 Olympics and interruption of the normal global competition season as a result of COVID-19 has created unique challenges for the country’s elite track & field athletes. With money-making events and sponsorships scarce, many athletes face uncertainty about how to make ends meet as they try to maintain training regimens and weigh overall concerns for the health of themselves and their families.

In response to these circumstances, Stephen A. Schwarzman announced that he is increasing his available grant funds through the USA Track & Field Foundation in 2020 by $250,000, bringing his total to $875,000.

“I’m proud to increase my support for these athletes during this unprecedented time,” said Mr. Schwarzman. “Their resolve and determination in the face of this unexpected challenge can be a lesson for all of us.”

Making a direct impact on the track and field community, Mr. Schwarzman’s grants will significantly increase the number of athletes that receive funding from the USA Track & Field Foundation.  With the 2020 Diamond League, Olympic Trials and Tokyo Games being postponed or cancelled, many athletes will face a year-long struggle to finance their training and living needs.  The Stephen A. Schwarzman grants will provide a bridge and safety net to these dedicated athletes until a sense of normalcy is restored.

“I would like to thank Mr. Stephen Schwarzman for his very generous support to Track and Field. His support came at a time when we needed it most, and has given us hope.  This is an extremely difficult time; the recognition will help us keep up the focus, train even harder and plan accordingly for the big task ahead,” stated four-time Stephen A. Schwarzman grantee and 5000m Rio Olympic silver medalist, Paul Chelimo.

This gift to the USA Track & Field Foundation allows for 100 athletes to benefit from Mr. Schwarzman’s support.  25 athletes will receive grants in the amount of $20,000 each and 75 athletes will receive grants in the amount of $5,000 each. 

The 25 recipients of the 2020 Stephen A. Schwarzman Grant awards in the amount of $20,000 each are:

Brittany Brown	200m
Chase Ealey	Shot Put
Christian Taylor	Triple Jump
Craig Engels	1500m
Dalilah Muhammad	400m Hurdles
Daniel Roberts	100m Hurdles
Darrell Hill	Shot Put
DeAnna Price	Hammer Throw
Donavan Brazier	800m
Emma Coburn	Steeplechase
Hillary Bor	Steeplechase
Joe Kovacs	Shot Put
Katie Nageotte	Pole Vault
Kendell Williams	Heptathlon
Keturah Orji	Triple Jump
Lopez Lomong	10000m
Maggie Ewen	Shot Put
Omar Craddock	Triple Jump
Paul Chelimo	5000m
Phyllis Francis	400m
Ryan Crouser	Shot Put
T J Holmes	400m Hurdles
Tori Franklin	Triple Jump
Valarie Allman	Discus Throw
Will Claye	Triple Jump

 
The 75 recipients of the 2020 Stephen A. Schwarzman Grant awards in the amount of $5,000 each are:

Abdi Abdirahman	Marathon
Aliphine Tuliamuk	Marathon
Allie Ostrander	Steeplechase
Amere Lattin	400m Hurdles
Annie Rhodes-Johnigan	Pole Vault
Ben Blankenship	1500m
Bernard Keter	Steeplechase
Brannon Kidder	800m
Brooke Andersen	Hammer Throw
Chari Hawkins	Heptathlon
Christina Clemons	100m Hurdles
Christopher Belcher	100m
Clayton Murphy	800m
Conor McCullough	Hammer Throw
Courtney Okolo	400m
Dani Jones	5000m
David Kendziera	400m Hurdles
Devon Williams	Decathlon
Dezerea Bryant	200m
Donald Scott	Triple Jump
Elise Cranny	1500m
Emily Grove	Pole Vault
Eric Jenkins	5000m
Eric Sowinski	800m
Freddie Crittenden	110m Hurdles
Hanna Green	800m
Heather MacLean	1500m
Jacob Riley	Marathon
Jasmine Todd	Long Jump
Jeron Robinson	High Jump
Jessica Ramsey	Shot Put
Jon Jones	Shot Put
Josh Thompson	1500m
Kara Winger	Javelin Throw
Keenon Laine	High Jump
Kelsey Card	Discus Throw
Kirubel Erassa	10000m
Laulauga Tausaga-Collins	Discus Throw
Leonard Korir	10000m
Maria Michta-Coffee	Racewalk
Mary Cain	1500m
Mason Ferlic	Steeplechase
Mason Finley	Discus Throw
Michael Cherry	400m
Michelle Carter	Shot Put
Molly Huddle	10000m
Morolake Akinosun	100m
Nia Akins	800m
Nick Christie	Racewalk
Nicole Greene	High Jump
Nikki Hilz	1500m
Obi Igbokwe	400m
Olivia Baker	800m
Payton Otterdahl	Shot Put
Rachel Schneider	5000m
Raven Saunders	Shot Put
Reggie Jagers	Discus Throw
Robby Andrews	1500m
Rudy Winkler	Hammer Throw
Sam Mattis	Discus Throw
Sam Prakel	1500m
Sean Donnelly	Hammer Throw
Shadrack Kipchirchir	10000m
Sha’Keela Saunders	Long Jump
Shakima Wimbley	400m
Shannon Osika	1500m
Shannon Rowbury	5000m
Sharika Nelvis	100m Hurdles
Solomon Simmons	Decathlon
Stanley Kebenei	Steeplechase
Trumaine Jefferson	Long Jump
Tynita Butts	High Jump
Vernon Norwood	400m
Woody Kincaid	5000m
Zach Ziemak	Decathlon

The USATF Foundation will be announcing additional elite athlete grants in the upcoming days.
 
The USA Track & Field Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, and distance training centers. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors, major gifts and from generous fans of track & field.
 
Elite athletes are supported by the Foundation via monetary grants and participation in Run With US! (www.runwithus.org). Youth athletes are supported via monetary grants to youth clubs.
 
For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or tjackovic@usatffoundation.org.