On Wednesday the USATF Foundation announced that it would be granting 23 John W. James Endowment Grant recipients, aimed at supporting athletes in the throwing events to train for the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

 

The USATF Foundation is providing John W. James grantees with an unprecedented $170,000 in 2015. The grants are aimed to support elite athletes competing on an international level with the goal of easing financial worries, so athletes can focus solely on the goal of making the Olympic team. 

 

The John W. James Endowment was developed to honor USATF Foundation Director Mark James’ late father John W. James. The endowment is used to fund elite grants for men and women track athletes in the throwing events, which are traditionally under-funded, and to promote the throwing events at major competitions. 

 

“The true test of the dream we have for the John W. James Grant for the throwing events is going to be the upcoming Olympic year. We are striving to have Americans on the medal platform in unprecedented numbers in these events, and now is the time to make the financial commitment to our athletes to help them get there. This is our dream, to help them realize their dreams,” Mark James said in a USATF Foundation release. 

 

The full list of 23 recipients of the John W. James Endowment grants:

 

Amanda Bingson ($10,000)

Amber Campbell ($10,000)

Britney Henry ($10,000)

Brittany Smith ($10,000)

Felisha Johnson ($10,000)

Gwendolyn Berry ($10,000)

Jeneva McCall ($10,000)

Joe Kovacs ($10,000)

Kara Winger-Patterson ($10,000)

Kurt Roberts ($10,000)

Lance Brooks ($10,000)

Tia Brooks ($10,000)

Whitney Ashley ($10,000)

A.G. Kruger ($4,000)

Andrew Evans ($4,000)

Brittany Borman ($4,000)

Craig Kinsley ($4,000)

Jared Schuurmans ($4,000)

Kibwe Johnson ($4,000)

Liz Podominick ($4,000)

Mason Finley ($4,000)

Riley Dolezal ($4,000)

Stephanie Brown Trafton ($4,000)