Bonuses were paid out to Olympic Medalists last Thursday for the Living the Dream Medal Fund.  Founding Steward Michael Novagratz hosted the ceremony in his home in New York City.  The Living the Dream Medal Fund was created to pay a bonus to Olympic Medalists.  A record $950,000 was paid out to our very successful 2020 Olympic Wrestling team.

Six of the nine Olympic medalists were present: David Taylor, Gable Steveson, Adeline Gray, Kyle Snyder, Kyle Dake, and Sara Hildebrandt.  A ceremony will be held at a later date for the three that were unable to attend for Tamyra Mensah-Stock, Helen Maroulis, and Thomas Gilman.

Michael Novagratz has been very influential in his support for USA Wrestling.  He was a two-time NCAA qualifier for Princeton at 150 lbs. in 1986 and 1987.

All of the recent Olympic medalists for Team USA except Gable Steveson will compete at the World Championships that will be in Oslo, Norway October 2-10.  Gilman will compete on October 3-4 at the 2021 Worlds at 57kg for Team USA.

For the 2021 World Championships the Living the Dream Medal Fund will have a bonus payout of $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze.

I can’t say enough how important programs like the Living the Dream Medal Fund are to the success of USA Wrestling. Being an elite international wrestler is a full time job to say the least.  Having programs like this allows our athletes to concentrate on training and peak performance.  Also programs like this have to be a contributing factor to the extended careers that we now see by our elite wrestlers. Financial opportunities like Living the Dream Medal Fund for wrestlers will only improve our results at the international level.

I see potential opportunities for similar type programs like this from corporate America.  I have always wanted to see more endorsements by our elite wrestlers that in turn provide the financial compensation on the same level as other elite professional athletes.  The massive increase in interest and success of women’s wrestling in America may provide new opportunities for endorsements for our elite Team USA wrestlers.

USA Wrestling is on fire right now.  In addition to the great results at the Olympics, Team USA did great at Cadet and Junior Worlds in both men’s and women’s freestyle.

 

LIVING THE DREAM MEDAL FUND 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES BONUS PAYMENTS

$250,000 – Tamyra Mensah-Stock, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic champion (68 kg)

$250,000 – David Taylor, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic champion (86 kg)

$250,000 – Gable Steveson, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic champion (125 kg)

$50,000 – Adeline Gray, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic silver medal (76 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic silver medal (97 kg)

$25,000 – Thomas Gilman, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (57 kg)

$25,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (57 kg)

$25,000 – Kyle Dake, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (74 kg)

$25,000 – Sarah Hildebrandt, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (50 kg)

Total Olympic Games payout- $950,000

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!