The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation announced today the newest class of Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast. Track and field’s Alysia Montaño is among the list of four recipients awarded for her work with &Mother.
Awarded annually, Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast celebrates Team USA athletes who show their commitment to health, wellness, or youth sports nonprofit causes. With these $25,000 grants, Comcast and the USOPF aim to spread the Olympic and Paralympic values across the nation. Half of Montaño’s grant will be awarded to &Mother, while she is set to be awarded the other half.
“Supporting Team USA Athletes isn’t only about recognizing athletic excellence – it’s about honoring individuals who exemplify a commitment to service,” said Jessica Muir, Senior Director of Brand Partnerships & Activation at Comcast. “We are proud to celebrate our Community Champions for the impact they’ve made on their local communities. Their stories are an inspiration to us and the next generation of Team USA Athletes.”
London 2012 Olympian and mother of three Alysia Montaño, the six-time USATF 800 champion, is the founder and CEO of &Mother. Leading this organization, Montaño works to break down the barriers for athlete mothers so they don’t have to choose between their athletic career and motherhood. This grant will assist &Mother as the organization works to provide resources to new moms including grants for maternal wellness costs, assistance with pregnancy and postpartum protections in athletic contracts, reduced childcare costs, and more.
Olympic cyclist Connie Carpenter Phinney (Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s), curling Olympian Tara Peterson (Hope Dental Clinic) and three-time Paralympic sled hockey gold medalist Rico Roman (Bridge City Inclusive Sports) are being awarded the prestigious grant alongside Montaño.
"Recognizing Connie, Alysia, Tara and Rico for their unwavering dedication to serving others is a true privilege," said USOPF President Christine Walshe. "Their applications reflected a deep commitment to their communities, and the foundation is honored to support their continued efforts to make a meaningful impact."
To learn more about the program or current and past recipients, please visit this website.