The USA Triathlon Foundation has confirmed a partnership with Gwen Jorgensen, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist and legendary figure in triathlon.
For more than a decade, Jorgensen has been inspiring new generations to enter the sport, and now she’s committed to helping the USA Triathlon Foundation and USA Triathlon in breaking down barriers to participation in the sport of triathlon.
A collaboration with community philanthropist Scott Filion, Gwen Jorgensen and her husband, Patrick Lemieux, has launched the Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship Fund to support economically disadvantaged children and youth entering the sport of triathlon.
Having personally witnessed the transformative power of scholarships, Filion shares Jorgensen’s vision of making triathlon more accessible to young athletes who may not otherwise have the opportunity to compete.
The Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship Fund was created to open the door to triathlon for kids and youth who might not otherwise have the means to participate, with the aim of making the sport more accessible, inclusive, and within reach.
“Triathlon changed my life, and I want to help open that door for the next generation – especially kids who might not have the resources to get started,” Gwen Jorgensen said.
“Through this scholarship fund, we’re breaking down financial barriers and making triathlon more accessible. Every child deserves the chance to dream big, and I’m excited to be part of a movement that helps them chase those dreams.”
Since her historic gold-medal victory at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio – where she dominated the run with the fastest 10K split of the day – Jorgensen has continued to captivate fans, particularly in the running community.
Shortly after the Rio 2016 Games, Jorgensen started a family and shifted to a professional running career. After the birth of her sons, Stanley in August of 2017 and George in October 2022, Jorgensen felt a strong pull back to the sport of triathlon and announced her return to elite competition.
Her comeback journey has been one of resilience and perseverance. While she narrowly missed a spot on the Paris 2024 US Olympic Triathlon Team (selected as an alternate), Jorgensen remains focused on the road ahead, committing to the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Series season with renewed determination.
“Gwen has long been an inspiration in our sport – not only for her Olympic gold medal and incredible sustained success at the highest level of the sport, but also for her dedication to growing triathlon and giving back to the next generation,” said Victoria Brumfield, USA Triathlon CEO.
“The USA Triathlon Foundation is honoured to partner with Gwen, Patrick, and Scott Filion to launch this scholarship fund, which will provide meaningful opportunities for young athletes to discover and thrive in triathlon. Together, we are working to make our sport more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all.”
The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants. These advance the foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire pathways to access and inclusion; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams.
Since the foundation was established in 2014, it has provided grants to organisations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to help create a healthier United States through triathlon.
www.usatriathlonfoundation.org
