Twenty Paralympic and Olympic athletes earned awards for community impact

As the world counts down to Paris 2024 Paralympic and Olympic Games, athletes from around the globe are dedicating themselves to relentless training in preparation for one of the most meaningful competitions of their careers. While these athletes may be best known for pushing the boundaries of possibility in sport, in many cases their pursuit for greatness also extends beyond the athletic field and out into their communities.

For this efforts, the Athletes for Good (AFG) program awarded 20 grants of $24,000 USD to charities that athletes have nominated, whether because they're mentoring the next generation of athletes, increasing accessibility to sport for people with disabilities or providing resources for those struggling with mental health. 

Four of the grants went to Paralympic athletes, which translates to 20% of the recipients. 

More than 100 athletes applied for this third iteration of the AFG, and the awardees for Paris 2024 were selected based on their passion for the cause, the personal impact of their chosen charity partner and the intended use for the grant. 

The full list of Paris 2024 Athletes for Good awardees:

• Alena Olsen (United States, Rugby) supporting EcoAthletes
• Alexis Hanquinquant (France, Para triathlon) supporting Marion La Main Tendue
• Amber Keegan (Great Britain, Swimming) supporting Athlete Interactions
• Andre De Grasse (Canada, Athletics) supporting Andre De Grasse Family Foundation
• Ayden Owens-Delerme (Puerto Rico, Athletics) supporting Boys and Girls Club of Puerto Rico (Vieques)
• Benjamin Blankenship (United States, Athletics) supporting Endless Mileage Project
• Carlotta Gilli (Italy, Para swimming) supporting ToSwim
• Daniel Caverzaschi (Spain, Wheelchair tennis) supporting "Lo que de Verdad Importa” Foundation
• Eilish McColgan (Great Britain, Athletics) supporting Giving Back to Track
• Ezra Frech (United States, Para athletics) supporting Angel City Sports
• Griffin Colapinto (United States, Surfing) supporting To Write Love on Her Arms
• Hugo Inglis (New Zealand, Hockey) supporting Evidence Action
• James Farndale (Great Britain, Rugby) supporting Athletes of the World
• Marcus Mepstead (Great Britain, Fencing) supporting Trees for the Future
• Marin Čilić (Croatia, Tennis) supporting Marin Cilic Foundation
• Melissa Stockwell (United States, Para triathlon) supporting Dare2Tri
• Oliver Scholfield (Canada, Hockey) supporting Racing to Zero
• Rhydian Cowley (Australia, Athletics) supporting Bush Heritage Foundation
• Sanne Van Dijke (Netherlands, Judo) supporting Stichting 113 Suicide Prevention
• Sloane Stephens (United States, Tennis) supporting Sloane Stephens Foundation
  
  The recipients’ stories can be found clicking here.