No opportunities for Future Deaflympians
Today, media outlets announced a significant gift from Stone Ridge Holding Group.
They have pledged $100 million in anchor funding to establish a post-athletic career support awards program for American Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) also released a statement regarding the largest donation for the USOPC - the “Stevens Financial Security Award” program. According to the announcement:
● “Starting with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milan-Cortina 2026, and going at least through the 2032 Games, every U.S. Olympian and Paralympian will receive $200,000 in financial benefits for each Games in which they compete.” (Emphasis added)
● “$100,000 to Live: Eligible athletes can access this award 20 years after their qualifying Games or when they turn 45, whichever comes later. The grant will be distributed over four years and can be used for any purpose, such as starting a business or supporting their families.”
Eligible athletes will receive a guaranteed benefit of $100,000 for their families or chosen beneficiaries upon death.
● “Multiplier effect: eligible athletes will receive $200,000 in benefits for each Games in which they compete. For instance, an athlete competing in three Olympic or Paralympic Games would receive $600,000 in benefits.”
Questions:
Is philanthropist Ross Stevens aware that the USOPC still hasn’t included the Deaflympians?
Does he know that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) in 1955 and has supported the Deaflympics since 1985?
Did he or his associates read the 277-page Final Report of the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics (CSUSOP)? The Commission has made the following recommendations to Congress:
Congress should also study further the challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes and proposals to integrate deaf sports into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement; in the meantime, USOPC should work with the U.S.A. Deaf Sports Federation to remove impediments to its full use of Deaflympic trademarks and access to sponsorships.
NOTE: Both recommendations for future Deaflympians have not been implemented since the report's release date (March 1, 2024).
Does Stevens know that, without support from the USOPC, each USA athlete must raise $7,000 to cover expenses for the 2025 Summer Deaflympics, which are scheduled for Tokyo from November 15 to 26?
I believe the “Stevens Financial Security Award” program could encourage more deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes to participate in future Deaflympics.
Historically, the Deaflympian medalists did not return in the following Games because they were tired of raising funds again.
This award could enable a Deaflympian competing in three Deaflympic Games to receive $600,000 in benefits.
Howard “Howie” Gorrell attended 13 of the last 14 Deaflympics since 1969 and is a 2004 recipient of the USADSF Jerald M. Jordan Award, given to those who exhibit leadership and continuous participation toward the goals of the Deaflympics, and the 2011 Art Kruger Award for demonstrating leadership, constant participation, support, and contributions to the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) over an extended period