Investing in gold
U.S. distributes grants to boost 2002 Games medal count
Posted: Saturday November 21, 1998 12:46 PM
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (AP) -- Skiers, snowboarders and
bobsledders received the first checks Friday from an $18
million program aimed at boosting U.S. medal counts at the 2002
Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Also receiving funds in the initial $368,000 payment from
the U.S. Olympic Committee's Operation Podium were the Salt Lake
Organizing Committee and the Utah Sports Authority.
That money will go for operation and upkeep of Olympic
facilities and to make sure U.S. athletes have first shot at
training on the Olympic venues.
The USOC gave the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association $112,000 to support athletes in Alpine and freestyle skiing,
snowboarding and Nordic combined. The federation's grants could add
up to more than $4 million under the program.
Bobsledders Brian Shimer, Jim Herberich, Mike Dionne and Todd
Hays from the men's team and Jill Bakken, Jean Racine, Jennifer
Davidson and Meg Henderson received support checks totaling $15,000, part of a $3 million pool.
The USOC program includes money for special sports science and
technology, team training support, high-performance conferences,
living and training expenses for athletes and coordination with
SLOC.
"This is a critical program for the preparation of our athletes
going into Salt Lake City," USOC executive director Dick Schultz
said. "It is a program that will make a difference to our winter
sports and will leave a lasting legacy."
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