Member News

May 12, 2006

From the Desk of the Director of Coaching and Athlete Development, Eddie Liddie

USA Judo Announces Cash Incentive Program for Pan American Team Members

As USA Judo athletes begin their quest to earn qualifying slots for the 2008 Olympic Games at the Pan American Championships, May 24-26 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, USA Judo is pleased to announce a cash incentive program to encourage results at these Championships.  Thanks to the support from the United States Olympic Committee and other USA Judo fundraising efforts, athletes winning a gold medal at the Championships will earn a $500.00 stipend while athletes who win a silver medal will earn a $300.00 stipend.   

In addition, athletes who win a gold medal will become fully funded athletes regardless of their International point level and will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred, including flight (if the athlete was not already partially funded), room and board and other reasonable related expenses.   Athletes who win a silver medal will receive reimbursement for their airfare, not to exceed $1,000.00 or an amount determined to be reasonable, provided the ticket is purchased within 14 days of departure.  If the athlete is already a partially funded athlete, he/she will receive reimbursement for his/her room and board and other reasonable related expenses.

"It is our hope that by announcing this cash incentive program two weeks before the team competes in Buenos Aires that we will encourage others within the USA Judo family to come forth, as they did for the World Championships in Cairo last year, and add to what we are able to offer,” said Jose Humberto Rodriguez, USA Judo CEO. "It would be great to see some of the judo supporters from some of the states where our athletes are from offer further financial incentive to the athletes from their states.  It would mean a lot to the members of our Pan American Team to know that they could earn funding for future training expenses if they win a gold medal in Buenos Aires. I do hope those out there who can afford it will come forth and support the concept. It is, after all, about the athletes.” 

The USA Judo Pan American Team members leave for Buenos Aires May 22 and will compete on Thursday May 24 and Friday May 25. USA Judo supporters and fans can follow the team travel and participation by going on the USA Judo Web site where there will be daily pictures of the team arriving, training and competing.

You will also be able to read first hand accounts from members of the team as well as daily comments from team coaches Jason Morris and Israel Hernandez and USA Judo Director of Coaching and Athletes Development, Eddie Liddie.  The competitions also will be videotaped and available on www.livesportsvideo.com a week after the conclusion of the event. Daily results for each division also will be available at www.usjudo.org.

Team competition and kata competition also will be held in Buenos Aires with the USA Judo Kata Team competing for medals on May 27.