$100 Million Boost Makes 4x Olympic Gold Medalist Send Strong Message to Track and Field Community

For decades, Team USA athletes have poured their hearts into representing their country. And that too by often going to the extent of sacrificing financial stability in pursuit of Olympic glory. Unlike many nations where government funding supports elite athletes, the United States relies on sponsorships and private donations. This has left many Olympians and track athletes struggling to make ends meet once their careers end. But that reality is about to change in a historic way!

It might all begin holding the hands of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) game-changing $100 million donation from Ross Stevens, the Founder & CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group. The unprecedented gift will directly fund post-Games financial security for Team USA athletes, ensuring they receive substantial benefits well into their retirement.

And following such a massive announcement, the track and field legend, who has been a vocal advocate for athlete welfare, took to social media to express his take on the same. Yes, you guessed it right, we’re talking about none other than the mastermind behind the Grand Slam Track and Olympic veteran Michael Johnson.

Johnson took to his X handle and voiced his support for the revolutionary decision. He called the move “smart sustainable support” and emphasized how many athletes often had to struggle after their retirement from this overtly demanding sport. Johnson stated, “This is what smart, sustainable support looks like! Team USA athletes sacrifice for their own dreams, but they also represent their country. And many spend the rest of their lives paying for that sacrifice. This ensures long-term support! 👏🏾 Ross Stevens”

This initiative, named the Stevens Financial Security Awards, has promised to provide every U.S. Olympian and Paralympian with a $100,000 grant spread over four years, starting with those who qualify for the 2026 Winter Games. Additionally, each athlete will receive a $100,000 life insurance benefit for their designated beneficiary. 

Moreover, athletes who compete in multiple Olympics will see these benefits multiply, with three-time Olympic athletes earning up to $600,000 in total. “You don’t want athletes being destitute when they finish a long, storied career,” stated USOPF Chair Geoff Yang. Yang’s words too highlighted the financial challenges many Olympians face after retirement.

For years, the financial struggles of U.S. athletes have been a glaring issue. According to Christine Walshe, president of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF), 57% of Team USA athletes earn $50,000 or less per year, often relying on part-time jobs and stipends to survive. The USOPC’s Chair, Gene Sykes, called Stevens’ donation “the biggest thing that anyone’s ever done” to address the problem. 

However, she also made it clear that this is just the beginning. The authorities are hinting at broader long-term plans to strengthen financial support for Olympians.

The foundation aims to raise $500 million by the LA 2028 Games, building on the $230 million collected in the four-year period ending in 2024. This huge step from the end of USOPC might also be impacting the life and career of Paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhall.

A new era looms for Hunter Woodhall as financial barriers begin to crumble

For Hunter Woodhall, the fight has never been just about winning medals. Rather, it’s been about proving that an athlete’s worth isn’t defined by financial hardship. The three-time Paralympic medalist has spent years balancing elite training with the constant stress of securing funding. But now, that burden may finally be lifting.

Thanks to the game-changing shift by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF). The $100 million donation from the hedge fund CEO is promising to provide eligible athletes with $200,000 in benefits per game. And that huge amount would be easing the relentless pressure of funding their Olympic and Paralympic journeys.

For Woodhall, whose journey to success has been filled with obstacles far beyond the track, this initiative is more than just financial relief. It’s a validation of the sacrifices he and so many others have made. “I wasn’t going to be seen as just someone with a disability,” Woodhall shared with Sports Illustrated back in 2017. 7 years have passed since then. And he’s proven that over and over.

For Woodhall and countless others, this could mark the end of financial sacrifice as a prerequisite for Olympic glory. And Johnson’s response underscores a larger truth—this isn’t just about financial aid. It’s about recognizing the value of Olympians and track and field stars beyond their competitive years.

For too long, U.S. athletes have given everything for their sport, only to face uncertainty when the cameras stop rolling. Now, under the umbrella of this historic investment, their sacrifices might no longer come at the cost of their future.