Winning an Olympic medal is considered to be one of the highest honors in all of Sports. We, as spectators, know about the hard work, and commitment these athletes put into their training, but few realize the other commitment these athletes must endure outside of training.
As a former U.S Olympic training athlete myself, I can tell you from experience that funding any Olympic sport is very expensive, and financially effects no just you, but your family as well. When I took up speed skating my mother left her passion of cooking to become a Correctional Office for a State Prison. This allowed her, and my dad to bring in extra income to help support my training. I was very blessed to have such a supportive family, and community! Without their incredible support I truly believe that I would not have been able to pursue this sport.
Most self-funded athletes have to rely on jobs with flexible schedules to make money for their living, training, and grocery expenses. Sherry Von Riesen from Team USA-Athlete Services states, "Team USA isn't government funded, so our athletes and their families bear the brunt of the cost to represent our country in the Games. Some athletes here at the OTC work two jobs on top of their training!"
Team USA-Athlete Services reached out to KTXsports to discuss their TEAM USA REGISTY program, and we thought this was an incredible program to share! "I love the Team USA Registry because it gives fans like you the opportunity to supply Team USA's athletes with the equipment and services they need to succeed — and to truly stand as the Team behind the Team."- Sherry Von Riesen
To learn more about the Team USA Registry program, and to make a donation please follow the link below:
http://action.teamusa.org/The-Registry
Photo above are Team USA's Chad Hedrick, Trevor Marsicano, Brian Hansen, and Jonathan Kuck who took home the Olympic Silver medal in the men's Long Track Speed Skating team pursuit at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada.
As a former U.S Olympic training athlete myself, I can tell you from experience that funding any Olympic sport is very expensive, and financially effects no just you, but your family as well. When I took up speed skating my mother left her passion of cooking to become a Correctional Office for a State Prison. This allowed her, and my dad to bring in extra income to help support my training. I was very blessed to have such a supportive family, and community! Without their incredible support I truly believe that I would not have been able to pursue this sport.
Most self-funded athletes have to rely on jobs with flexible schedules to make money for their living, training, and grocery expenses. Sherry Von Riesen from Team USA-Athlete Services states, "Team USA isn't government funded, so our athletes and their families bear the brunt of the cost to represent our country in the Games. Some athletes here at the OTC work two jobs on top of their training!"
Team USA-Athlete Services reached out to KTXsports to discuss their TEAM USA REGISTY program, and we thought this was an incredible program to share! "I love the Team USA Registry because it gives fans like you the opportunity to supply Team USA's athletes with the equipment and services they need to succeed — and to truly stand as the Team behind the Team."- Sherry Von Riesen
To learn more about the Team USA Registry program, and to make a donation please follow the link below:
http://action.teamusa.org/The-Registry
Photo above are Team USA's Chad Hedrick, Trevor Marsicano, Brian Hansen, and Jonathan Kuck who took home the Olympic Silver medal in the men's Long Track Speed Skating team pursuit at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada.