USATF Foundation awards Elite Athlete Development Grants to 10 Team USA athletes

USATF Foundation awards Elite Athlete Development Grants to 10 Team USA athletes

LONDON – The USA Track & Field Foundation has awarded an additional round of Elite Athlete Development grants to ten athletes that are competing in London for the 2017 IAAF World Championships announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld.

Each athlete will receive a grant in the amount of $2,000 to help relieve the financial stress and expenses that come with competing internationally such as proper coaching, training, medical care, recovery and travel.  This $20,000 gift to the athletes brings the USATF Foundation to a new record in grant awards with a total of $870,000 awarded in 2017.

“We are proud to support these tremendous athletes in their pursuit of excellence as they represent the United States on the international stage,” stated Foundation Director Anré Williams.

The 10 talented athletes to receive funding in the amount of $2,000 are:

Kara Winger – Javelin

Inika McPherson – High Jump

Gia Lewis-Smallwood – Discus

Aleec Harris – 100m Hurdles

Ryan Whiting – Shot Put

Darrell Hill – Shot Put

Donald Scott – Triple Jump

Andrew Evans – Discus

Mason Finley – Discus

Devon Williams – Decathlon

Additionally, all of these athletes will have the opportunity to appear at various schools and community venues across the country in the USA Track & Field Foundation’s Run With US! program.  In each Run With US! event, Olympic athletes and Olympic hopefuls inform kids on what it means to be a professional athlete and how setting goals and making healthy choices have impacted their lives. The program provides an opportunity for the athletes to give back to their community.



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 and experienced elite athletes, along with guidance on future career paths. 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!. Youth athletes are supported via monetary grants to youth clubs.

For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, Click Here or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or tjackovic@usatffoundation.org.