27 Jul USATF Foundation awards $875,000 in Stephen A. Schwarzman Grant Funds; Schwarzman Increases Total Commitment to $2.75 Million
NEW YORK CITY – 2018 marks a unique year in the world of track & field – one where there is no World Championship or Olympic event for athletes to compete. Given this circumstance, the USATF Foundation and Director Stephen A. Schwarzman view this as an important year for rising professional track & field athletes to rebuild, refocus, and set clear goals. With hopes to assist these athletes in achieving their goals, the USATF Foundation and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced 25 Stephen A. Schwarzman grant awards in the amount of $35,000 each.
Last year, Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Blackstone, became the largest individual donor to the USATF Foundation with an unprecedented $2.5 million donation in support of elite track & field athletes. This year, Mr. Schwarzman added an additional $250,000 to the grant pool to raise the amount of each individual Schwarzman grant to $35,000 in 2018. The $35,000 grants are the largest ever awarded by the USATF Foundation and are meant to provide financial support to the most promising track & field athletes as they train for the World Championships and Olympic Games.
“Stephen Schwarzman is ensuring these up and coming stars, who will compete in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, have the tools necessary to develop over the next few years. He is demonstrating his passion for the sport with generous and tangible gifts to assist these athletes with their daily expenses of coaching, training, equipment, medical treatment, recovery, and travel,” stated Greifeld.
It is a remarkable yet difficult task for the USATF Foundation Elite Athlete Grant Committee to consider the overwhelming amount of applications received each year. The committee tries to identify athletes who have podium potential that will be enhanced by financial support.
“It is an honor to increase my contribution this year in order to support these up and coming athletes as they work to achieve their performance goals. Their individual stories of commitment and dedication to the sport of track & field are an inspiration. I look forward to seeing these young athletes realize their potential as they grow and compete, both on and off the field,” stated Schwarzman.
The 25 talented athletes to receive funding in the amount of $35,000 each are:
| Christian Taylor | Triple Jump |
| Darrell Hill | Shot Put |
| Deanna Price | Hammer |
| Erica Bougard | Heptathlon |
| Georganne Moline | 400m Hurdles |
| Gwen Berry | Hammer |
| Katie Nageotte | Pole Vault |
| Kendall Ellis | 400m |
| Kenny Selmon | 400m Hurdles |
| Keturah Orji | Triple Jump and Long Jump |
| Maggie Ewen | Shot Put, Hammer, and Discus |
| Mason Finley | Discus |
| Paul Chelimo | 5000m |
| Paul Dedewo | 400m |
| Phyllis Francis | 400m |
| Raven Saunders | Shot Put |
| Reggie Jagers | Discus |
| Ronnie Baker | 100m |
| Ryan Crouser | Shot Put |
| Sandi Morris | Pole Vault |
| Shadrack Kipchirchir | 10000m |
| Shakima Wimbley | 400m |
| T. J. Holmes | 400m Hurdles |
| Tori Franklin | Triple Jump |
| Zack Bazile | Long Jump |