Television, is what separates us from the rest of the mainstream sports. JRob says it best "Television, it validates our sport".
The lack of consistent productions of major competitions and the inability to attract national sponsors makes it more difficult to secure TV programming.
One of the major reasons the Living the Dream Medal Fund was created was to begin a major grassroots support program filling in the gaps for our world level programs & athletes by gaining more recognition for international competition.
Throughout their high school & college years, our athletes have been supported by the USA taxpayer system in its investments made to public and private high schools and by athletic departments in the "dwindling" college community.
At the pinnacle of their careers, where some athletes choose to continue wrestling by representing the United States in world and Olympic competition, they are left somewhat alone to "fend" for themselves.
The lack of resources to survive while competing against heavily subsidized athletes from Russia, Iran, Azberjian, Cuba and several other Eastern bloc countries has made it more difficult for our athletes to compete on a level playing field.
The Medal Fund, in its inaugural year with over 600 people donating to the fund, helped raise over $70,000 to provide the financial rewards to Dremiel Byers Silver -Medalist($25,000) Jake Herbert-Silver Medalist ($25,000) and Tervel Dlagnev-Bronze Medalist ($15,000).
The future of the medal fund, with the back-up support of the Stewards, has made it possible for the Medal Fund to expand and provide our athletes more support for their living expenses along with the individual clubs and stipends by the USA Wrestling National Teams Program.
Is it enough, of course not, especially in today's our economy that is under tremendous worldwide pressure.
The athletes will survive and be able to continue with their quest "dreaming" of the one single moment in the summer of 2012 in London UK, when they will remember the long journey from pee wee wrestling to the Olympics for the rest of their lives.
All of us as contributors will share a little in each step as well in the journey supporting & cheering their efforts!
The Stewards of the Medal Fund hope you will be joining the 600 donors with your support of the world class athletes in 2010. The more medals we win the more money the Stewards will invest.
We will continue adding the names to the list of contributors on the Web site.
If you decide to contribute your name will be highlighted in RED for 2010.
in 2011 in BLUE and in the Olympic Year in 2012 it will turn to GOLD! More Medals on the Podium in 2012.
Web site for Donations: https://www.usawmembership.com/MakeDonation.jsp?programId=501
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