The USA Track & Field Foundation (USATFF) today announced that Stephen
A. Schwarzman, the Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Blackstone, has
donated $500,000 to the USATF Foundation. The funding will be used to
support world-class athletes in track and field who are the most likely
winners of medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, as well as to create a
matching gift program for other donors to the USATF Foundation.
Tom Jackovic, the USATF Foundation Executive Director, said, “Steve’s
donation will enable us to find the best track and field athletes in the
United States and ensure that, regardless of their circumstances, they
have the time and resources to train for the Rio Olympics. The US has
always been a powerhouse in track and field and this donation will go a
long way to helping that continue.”
Steve Schwarzman added, “Track and field was a central part of my life
from 5th grade through high school. From it, I learned team work, the
importance of hard work and training, and the thrill of when your team
won. I want every American who has the drive and the talents to succeed
at the highest level in track and field to have the resources they need
to do so, and I am delighted to support the USATF Foundation in this
endeavor.”
Mr. Schwarzman founded Blackstone in 1985 and it is now the world’s
largest alternative asset manager and financial adviser, with $210
billion under management as of the end of 2012.
About the USA Track & Field Foundation
The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new
and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing
opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance
training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon
donations from its Board of Directors, major gifts and from generous
fans of track & field.
Elite athletes are supported by the Foundation via monetary grants,
career counseling (mentoring & jobs) and participation in Run With US! (www.rwus-now.org).
Youth athletes are supported via monetary grants to youth clubs.
For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field
Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org
or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or tom.jackovic@usatf.org.
