Paris Olympics: Amidst NBC’s ‘Garbage’ Update, US Gymnastics Legend Makes Exclusive $250K Announcement for Athlete Parents

The 2024 Paris Olympics journey is proving to be a rollercoaster ride for new parents. While athletes are gearing up to dazzle the world, parents are grappling with a dilemma. Athletes after securing a ticket to the Olympics are now faced with the reality that their newborn babies may not be allowed entry without a ticket for a separate seat. 

On the other hand, parents of a newborn are eagerly waiting to witness the glamour of the Paris Olympics. But their enthusiasm is tempered by the shocking revelation that their newborn will also require an individual ticket for Olympic access. But amid everything, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson East and her husband, Andrew East have unveiled an initiative to redefine the experience for parents competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East’s game-changing support for parent Olympic athletes

In July 2023, the East couple founded a charitable organization, Moment Makers Foundation. The dynamic duo fueled by a passion for giving back aims to transform lives through the magic of meaningful moments. They decided to use the Moment Makers Grant to change the narrative of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics for parent athletes. 

Shawn stating her reason for not being able to compete in this season said, “As a parent of three I could not possibly imagine competing right now and having to worry about the logistics of my kids”. She further added, “It’s crazy to think that a lot of these moms and dads are competing and training and at the same time, trying to figure out: ‘Am I going to be able to get my kids over to Paris? Who is going to watch my kids if they don’t come to Paris?” Although she won’t be participating this year, it did not stop her from trying to impact the lives of parent athletes competing in the upcoming Summer Olympics. 

Driving inspiration from the 2021 Allyson Felix’s Child Care Grant, the East couple has decided to donate $250,000 from their Moment Makers Grant to provide financial relief to parents participating in the Olympics and Paralympics. Shawn Johnson East stated that many think that every Olympic athlete is receiving financial support from companies whereas the truth is they don’t. “Majority of these people are paying out of pocket to go to the Olympics and compete. We truly just wanted to say, ‘Let us help you in any way we can. No questions asked”, said she.

NBC’s controversial move of tracking parents’ heart rates at Paris Olympics sparks outrage and debate

Margaux Giddings, a gymnast from South-west France qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 before she conceived her baby. But after her baby is born who would just be five-month-old this July might require a separate ticket. Another couple who are waiting for the arrival of their first child this May are suddenly made aware of the fact that their one-month-old newborn might require an individual ticket for the Paris Olympics.

NBC’s probable plan of putting heart-rate monitors on parents of athletes has recently been revealed. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, athletes’ parents’  heart rate and anxiety levels will be tracked. Moreover, live results will be shown on the screen as parents would watch their children compete in Paris.  Surveys reveal that several parents suffer from sleeplessness and feel extremely anxious while watching their children perform. But this idea has left many sports enthusiasts frustrated as they would want seamless streaming.

Fans have reacted furiously to the same. One of the fans on a Reddit post commented, “This type of thing is garbage. Many sports have attempted some version of this. It’s never interesting” Another fan demanding a simple show mentioned that this step would make the Olympics seem like a reality show full of sob stories. What are your thoughts on the same? Share with us in the comment section below.