Two-time Paralympic triathlon medallist and 2022 world champion Grace Norman will serve as an ambassador for USA Triathlon’s Watch Us Thrive NIL Collective.
Financed through donors, the Watch Us Thrive Collective supports women’s triathlon student-athletes in the form of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) payments. In return, NIL recipients will promote triathlon and NCAA women’s triathlon movement on their social media channels and through other digital avenues.
“The opportunity for collegiate women to receive support through the Watch Us Thrive NIL Collective is incredible,” said Grace Norman.
“Triathlon is still developing at the college level, so funding is a critical factor for many athletes working to achieve their goals. As a former runner at Cedarville University, I experienced the challenges and learned the value of competing in collegiate sport.
“It’s exciting for me to be in a position to advocate for fundraising that advances women’s triathlon. I am truly honoured to bring my experience as an NCAA athlete and Paralympic medallist to this significant USA Triathlon initiative.”
A three-time Paralympic Medalist and three-time World Triathlon Para Champion, Norman is an Ohio native who earned a nursing degree from Cedarville University, where she competed on the NCAA track and cross-country teams.
At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Grace competed and medalled in both track & field and paratriathlon, becoming the first US athlete to win gold at paratriathlon’s Paralympic debut. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Norman added a Paralympic triathlon silver medal and she is currently training for Paris 2024.
‘As a Watch Us Thrive Ambassador, Norman will drive the collective’s resource needs and impact through social media promotion, speaking appearances, fundraising assistance, and donor and athlete engagement.’
The Watch Us Thrive Collective was announced in November 2022. Applications for interested student-athletes will open on May 1 and will close on June 30, and the inaugural 2023 class will be announced in August.
www.usatriathlonfoundation.org
www.usatriathlon.org
