U.S. Ski & Snowboard Announces The "Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund"
"On February 2, 2020, two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin’s world stopped turning when her dear father, Jeff Shiffrin, unexpectedly and tragically passed away. Shortly thereafter, the entire world came to a halt as COVID-19 swept the globe."
"The name Mikaela Shiffrin has become a household name across America and around the world over the last several years. At just 25 years old, the skiing phenomenon is already a two-time Olympic Champion, five-time World Champion, and a 66-time World Cup victor. She was featured on the March 2020 cover of Sports Illustrated, which named her the world’s most dominant athlete. Anyone who has seen Mikaela ski knows they are watching history in the making, and it’s thrilling. The powerhouse that is Mikaela Shiffrin—the speed, the precision, the focus, the resiliency—reflects the values and discipline instilled in her by her parents from a very young age. In 2020, it is the gift of resiliency that has taken center stage." - U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding, has announced the Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund, which is dedicated to helping support American national athletes as they head into a competition season during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Named to honor the father of Alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, who has had to show some resiliency herself, not only with having to come to terms with the unexpected death of her father, but in returning to competition.
“To me, resiliency is the ability to experience something really difficult—hardship, pain, struggle—to experience that, and to get to the other side of it, holding on to some form of strength or purpose,” said Mikaela Shiffrin. “And it doesn’t mean you were the same person that you were before…but you keep that strength, you keep that toughness or that determination you had before. In a sense, it’s just holding on to the fire that you had, that kept you going…that kept you motivated and moving forward. So, really, resiliency is just not giving up.”
In an effort to help with deal with issues and setbacks that have come along with the COVID-19 pandemic, suffered by U.S. Ski & Snowboard and its athletes, the Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund was created by a group of generous donors (six families) that have offered to match, dollar for dollar, every contribution raised up to $1.5 million.
While this new campaign is named for the father of one of the greatest alpine competitors in history, all funding raised through the fund will support athletes from across the represented disciplines of snow sports.
“Donor contributions will support athletes across the U.S. alpine, freestyle, freeski, snowboard, and cross country teams as we continue our journey to the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games and address ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund will allow us to be nimble in being prepared for unexpected expenses in the run up to and during the Olympic Games. ”
Prior to the public announcement of the Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has been able to raise more that $800,000 towards the $1.5 million match goal. At this time, funding has reached just over $2 million towards a $3 million goal. If you would like to make a donation or if you are looking for more information on the fund, please head to keeptheflamealive.org, which is also linked below.
Photo Credit: U.S. Ski & Snowboard/Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund
To maximize the impact of their giving and generosity, donors of U.S. Ski & Snowboard have issued a $1.5 million matching gift challenge to all U.S. Ski & Snowboard supporters and the general public. When fully funded, the $3 million Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund will help U.S.
Photo Credit: U.S. Ski & Snowboard/Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund
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