Why Your Support Is Needed
In diving, reaching the Olympic podium, takes resources, structure, and belief. Unfortunately, most talented athletes graduate college with no path forward. Options being, continuing to train with their college coaches, move to another club or move on from the sport.
These athletes have challenges such as college coaches are paid by their institutions and have other priorities to make their ends meet. And as NCAA is working through roster size limits, world class talented athletes who would benefit from long term development are being cut from programs for international athletes who come from fully funded programs with world level coaches.
There’s little financial support, zero centralized training options, and minimal long-term investment in Olympic development. In contrast, countries like China, Australia, and the U.K. pour millions into national training centers, coaching staffs, and athlete pipelines, cultivating champions over years. USA loses top-tier talent every year due to athletes not having options for continuing the sport after NCAA.
That gap is where Team F1RST steps in.
The Cost Of Chasing Olympic Dreams
In the United States, Olympic hopefuls face a unique challenge, there’s no government funding for athletes, no matter how successful they are. Unlike many countries where elite athletes receive full financial backing, American athletes often pay their own way. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee provides minimal financial support, leaving most athletes, divers included, to juggle full-time jobs while trying to train at an elite level. Even medal winners typically receive only modest stipends that fall far short of covering the true cost of training and travel.
For athletes in the sport of diving, the path is especially difficult. Most are post-collegiate athletes who must rely on college facilities and coaches, when those coaches aren’t focused on their NCAA teams. Nearly 90% of U.S. Olympic divers train independently, often after hours, balancing their sport with work just to stay afloat. Meanwhile, their international competitors benefit from fully funded training programs, giving them a critical edge.
Athlete Target: Fully fund 4 elite athletes during the years of 2025 - 2028 leading up to the LA Summer Olympics in 2028
Funding Needed: $1.1 Million (covers 3 years of all training costs for 4 total athletes)
Funding Use: Coaching, Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, Facility Rent & Equipment, Sport Psychology, Competitions & Training Trips
Goal Targets
At Team F1RST, we believe the next generation of athletes shouldn’t be held back by financial barriers or a lack of opportunity. With your support, we can rewrite the future of our sport, leveling the playing field, empowering underrepresented athletes, and building a stronger Olympic presence for years to come. Together, we’re not just funding dreams, we’re making them a reality, one dive at a time.