NEW YORK CITY - The sport of Track & Field is buzzing with excitement and anticipation after the completion of the US Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The USA Track & Field Foundation hopes to add to this positive momentum with the announcement of its 2021 Stephen A. Schwarzman elite athlete grants. The 65 Stephen A. Schwarzman grantees will each receive $30,000. This financial support is crucial to ensure that athletes representing the United States have the resources needed to reach their potential and ultimately make it to the medal stand. Stephen Schwarzman is the largest donor to the USATF Foundation. He has committed a total of $12 million to the grant program and distributed $5.7 million in direct athlete support including today’s announcement. “I’m proud to support these incredible athletes and will be cheering for all 65 as they represent our country in Tokyo,” said Schwarzman. “Their years of dedication leading up to the Olympic Games are an inspiration to me and so many others. They deserve every opportunity to reach their potential and compete on the world stage.” Although competitive opportunities have started to return, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt by almost all athletes. Due to losses of sponsorship, a lack of prize money and limited appearance fees, hundreds of professional athletes are in severe financial trouble. The USATF Foundation and its Elite Grant Program are continuing the tradition of assisting these athletes in need. All USATF Foundation grants are awarded from a pool of applicants. Elite athletes are encouraged to apply every year in April or May. The Stephen A. Schwarzman grants are decided upon by the USATF Foundation Elite Grant Committee and criteria is based primarily on athlete’s potential to medal at the next Olympic Games and World Championships along with consideration for monetary need. “I am so thrilled to have made my first Olympic team and to have the opportunity to represent my country on such a large stage. It means so much that years of hard work is going to pay off and to know that I'll be competing amongst the best athletes in the world. I'm incredibly grateful to have this kind of support from donors and pure fans of the sport like Mr. Schwarzman. This funding will help me significantly with travel and medical expenses that quickly add up when in-season and competing. This will truly help as I prepare for Tokyo and beyond,” exclaimed 200m runner, Gabby Thomas. The 65 athletes receiving Stephen A. Schwarzman Grants in the amount of $30,000 each are:
Anavia Battle - 200m Alex Young - Hammer Throw Anna Cockrell - 400H Annie Kunz - Heptathlon Benard Keter - Steeplechase Brittney Reese - Long Jump Brooke Andersen - Hammer Throw Chris Nilsen - Pole Vault Christina Clemons - 100H Clayton Murphy - 800m Cory McGee - 1500m Dalilah Muhammad - 400H Daniel Haugh - Hammer Throw Daniel Roberts - 110H Darryl Sullivan - High Jump Dave Kendziera - 400H Deanna Price - Hammer Throw Donald Scott - Triple Jump Elise Cranny - 5000m Emily Sisson - 10000m Emma Coburn - Steeplechase Erica Bougard - Heptathlon Gabby Thomas - 200m Garrett Scantling - Decathlon Grant Fisher - 10000/5000m Hillary Bor - Steeplechase Isaiah Jewett - 800m Javianne Oliver - 100m Jessica Ramsey - Shot Put Joe Kovacs - Shot Put JuVaughn Harrison - High Jump/Long Jump Katie Nageotte - Pole Vault Kendall Ellis - 400m/4x400m relay Kendell Williams - Heptathlon Keni Harrison - 100H Kenny Bednarek - 200m Kenny Selmon - 400H Keturah Orji - Triple Jump Maggie Malone - Javelin Throw Marquis Dendy - Long Jump Mason Finley - Discus Throw Michael Cherry - 400m Paul Chelimo - 5000m Payton Otterdahl - Shot Put Quanera Hayes - 400m Quanesha Burks - Long Jump Raevyn Rogers - 800m Raven Saunders - Shot Put Reggie Jagers - Discus Throw Ronnie Baker - 100m Rudy Winkler - Hammer Throw Ryan Crouser - Shot Put Sam Kendricks - Pole Vault Sandi Morris - Pole Vault Steffin McCarter - Long Jump Steve Bastien - Decathlon Teahna Daniels - 100m Tori Franklin - Triple Jump Trevor Stewart - 400m/4x400m relay Valarie Allman - Discus Throw Vashti Cunningham - High Jump Will Claye - Triple Jump Wil London - 400m/4x400m relay Woody Kincaid - 10000/5000m Zach Ziemek - Decathlon
Please Note: Additional USATF Foundation elite grants will be announced in the coming days. Opportunities for Elite Athlete Development, John W. James, Adopt an Athlete, and Maternity Fund grants are still to be announced. The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and 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, career counseling (mentoring and jobs) 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.