Olympian Katie Nageotte receives $30000 grant from USATF Foundation...

NEW YORK--With over a week to go before the start of track & field competition at the pandemic delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, former Pullman resident Katie Nageotte (Paul Merca photo), the winner of the pole vault at the US Olympic Trials, was announced by the USA Track & Field Foundation as one of 65 recipients of a $30000 grant.

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.

According to a release from the USATF Foundation, the 65 athletes are receiving grants from Stephen Schwarzman, the largest donor to the foundation, and the CEO/Co-Founder of Blackstone Group, a private equity firm and one of the world's largest alternative asset managers.

“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.”

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.

In a related announcement from the Foundation, Olympian Jake Riley from Bellingham, University of Washington grad Katie Rainsberger, Pasco HS graduate Marisa Howard, and Henry Wynne of the Brooks Beasts were among the 50 athletes named as recipients of elite athlete development grants totaling $8000 per athlete.

“The depth and quality of the athletes at the Trials and the performances were truly extraordinary especially in view of the hardships brought about by Covid, limiting competitions and training. We at the Foundation are doing everything we can to keep these uniquely talented athletes in the sport,” stated USATF Foundation Director Preston Johnson.

The releases from the USATF Foundation are available here & here.

NOTE: The USA Track & Field Foundation contributed to this report.

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