With just three days left until the Paris Olympics, it seems Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and Tara Davis’s longstanding financial and travel issues have finally been ironed out. On July 22nd, the USATF Foundation dropped a major announcement: the 2024 class of Stephen A. Schwarzman grant award winners have been unveiled. This year, 65 elite track and field athletes will each receive $30,000, while an additional 35 athletes will pocket $20,000 in grants, totaling a whopping $2.65 million in support. It will cover crucial expenses, such as equipment, coaching, travel, medical costs, and recovery tools.

Stephen A. Schwarzman couldn’t be happier about the support, saying, “It’s an honor to again support an incredible group of athletes as they prepare to represent our country on the world stage. Their passion and commitment are an inspiration, and I look forward to cheering them on in Paris,” Mr. Schwarzman, the USATF Foundation’s largest donor, has provided over $14 million in grant funding to date. The USATF Foundation will support these exceptional athletes on their journey to Paris.

65 athletes will each receive an amount of $30,000: Kenny Bednarek, Brittany Brown, Anna Cockrell, Tara Davis-Woodhall, Anna Hall, Quincy Hall, Nikki Hiltz, Grant Holloway, Alexis Holmes, Melissa Jefferson, Hobbs Kessler, Conner Mantz, Katie Moon, Jasmine Moore, Yared Nuguse, Fiona O’Keeffe, Payton Otterdahl, ShaCarri Richardson, Emily Sisson, Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas, Clayton Young, Nico Young, Quincy Halland more

While also other  35 athletes will each receive an amount of $20,000: Trevor Bassitt, Tamari Davis, Aleia Hobbs, Kyree King, Dakotah Lindwurm, Brandon Miller, Vernon Turner, Harrison Williams, Jacob Wooten, and more. With that said, it seems Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and Tara Davis will be now feeling a sense of relief.

Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Gabby Thomas, and others find relief as legends lead the way

Undoubtedly, accommodation and travel arrangements are crucial for ensuring the security and well-being of athletes, especially when the Olympics are hosted in a European country where costs can be sky high. The financial strain of participating in such a prestigious event can feel like carrying a heavy load. As Noah Lyles pointed out earlier this year, “Being a track athlete living in the US… you are only cared about for four years and you’re in a dying sport.” This shows the uphill battle athletes face. But it’s not just him!

Earlier this year, Kenny Bednarek voiced his frustrations about the skyrocketing costs of flights and lodging for both the Paris 2024 Olympics and the qualifying trials. He tweeted, “The cost to fly and accommodate my team at the trials and Olympics is pretty wild. Prices are jacked up.” Lyles echoed this concern, acknowledging the widespread issue of inflated prices, remarking, “It’s hard for all of us, man.” Bednarek also stressed the critical need for support during these times, saying, “It’s crazy because that’s when we need our entire support system the most.”

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Even Tara Davis-Woodhall, added, “Why do we have to go all the way to Europe, spend all this money, and barely get a dime when we come back to the [United] States?” This shows how hard it was for athletes. But there are many former athletes and other who are also stepping up to the plate to support their peers. Alexis Ohanian’s Athlos, Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation and Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam are making waves. These efforts, among others, are working hard to address the status quo and provide much-needed support in track and field.