If,
like me, you’ve recently watched the United States Olympic trials, you’ve
enjoyed seeing the “best of the best” in physicality, strength, and
power. It’s been particularly exciting to see the women (including young
women) competitors including Iowa’s hurdler Lolo Jones, and gymnast Gabby
Douglas who is following in the shoes of Shawn Johnson. (For your
information, both Lolo Jones and Shawn Johnson have been guest speakers at our
year-end Chrysalis After-School celebration – very inspirational!).
For
the first time, the 2012 United States Olympic team will have more women than
men: there are to be 269 women and 261 men on the team. And for your
information, the oldest American athlete is a woman – equestrian rider Karen
O’Connor at 54 – and the youngest is 15-year-old swimmer Katie Ledecky.
As
tough as it is to become an Olympian, the financial costs are becoming
increasingly prohibitive. The United States is one of a select few
countries that does not provide funding for Olympians, leaving athletes to rely
on the US Olympic Committee for support. The majority of the $170 million in annual funding supports
athletes in the “popular” sports, leaving competitors in "lesser-popular" sports
without much, if any financial assistance.
In
an interview with CNN, Alan Ashley, Head of Sports Performance for the US
Olympic Committee, noted that the division of this funding is determined by how
many medals a particular sport has won, and whether or not that sport has a
good chance this year. Funding also supports training camps, coaching,
and competition entries for prospective Olympians.
According
to CNN, only 50% of American track and field athletes ranked in the nation’s
top 10 in their event earn more than $15,000 from the sport, and those not
highly ranked fare much worse. Most athletes look to private donors,
sponsorship opportunities, and grants to fund their participation, and if they
don’t excel quickly, they lose an opportunity to win cash prizes. In 2012, gold
medalists win a $25,000 bonus, silver medalists receive $15,000, and bronze
winners are awarded $10,000.
The
Women’s Sports Foundation, created in 1974 by tennis icon Billie Jean King, is
the only charitable organization providing grants to women athletes.
Figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi, skier Picabo Street, and
gymnast Kerri Strug are among the recipients who received direct financial assistance
to support coaching, specialized training, equipment, uniforms, or
travel. The Foundation also moves the women’s sports movement ahead in
other ways:
· working with media to increase positive coverage of women athlete’s and women’s sports
· helping shape the public’s attitude about women athletes and sports for
women
· advising on women’s sports issues and other concerns
· advocating for athletes’ commercial rights and purse and salary equity
· marketing and promoting female athletes to corporate partners and the
public
· operating a Speaker Service to enhance women’s athletics and sports
In the coming year, Chrysalis will
incorporate the Foundation’s “GO GIRL GO!” curriculum for school-age girls into
the Chrysalis After-School program’s GIRLSTRONG! Program, which includes
healthy lifestyle, nutrition, fitness, and wellness education to program
participants. Through community partners and facilitator training, The
Chrysalis GIRLSTRONG! curriculum ensures that adolescent girls learn and adopt
knowledge and behaviors that will keep them healthy and resilient – prepared to
become confident and contributing women.
To hear the reasons why this program is so
important: http://vimeo.com/38229299
