Brad Snyder on what it means to have a community of support as an elite athlete and how you can make an impact
Brad Snyder is a three-time Paralympian and six-time Paralympic gold medalist—and he is almost certain that he could not have accomplished these feats without the support he received from the Team USA Fund. By supporting resources like nutrition, training, travel, sport physiology, medal bonuses and so much more, donors help to make journeys like Brad’s possible.
Hear from Brad about what it means to have a community of support as an elite athlete and how the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation is transforming the athlete experience for the next generation of Team USA.
What resources have you received from Team USA that have helped make your career possible?
First and foremost, the direct athlete support stipends that I have received from being on the national team have allowed me to truly pursue sport as a full-time endeavor. Beyond that, the Operation Gold medal bonuses, which I’m proud to note are the same for Olympians and Paralympians, not only made winning that much sweeter, but also allowed me to make significant investments for my future.
Additionally, in the lead-up to Tokyo 2020, the sport performance team at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs helped me understand how my body works under abnormally hot conditions, and how to train and race in a way to “beat the heat.” I did several sophisticated assessments under heat duress, which gave me invaluable data about how and when my body began to show signs of weakening or fatigue due to temperature stress. I was able to build this into my training and my race strategy, which gave me an advantage over the field in Tokyo—an edge we capitalized on by winning gold!
How have these benefits changed your athlete journey? What would you have done without these resources?
I am certain that I would not have succeeded on the level that I have without the resources I’ve had through Team USA. For one, I would not have been able to continue being an athlete over a three-quad span (eleven years). Being on the national team not only allowed me the financial freedom to stay in sport longer than I would have, but the physical training resources helped me understand how to train in a way that could help me sustain high-performance over a longer time span rather than prepare for just one big race. Changes I’ve made to my training in terms of nutrition and mobility have certainly added years to my competitive life span, and for that I’m so grateful.
In what areas would you like to see more support for athletes?
I can happily say that we’re working on this, but I know I’ve succeeded as a leader because of the character I’ve developed through sport. I’d love to see a little more of the athlete journey dedicated to character development and sportsmanship, and for transition resources for athletes who are retiring and looking for meaningful employment. I think if we can develop leaders of character, then ensure they succeed in their careers, they are better empowered to inspire future generations.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, the fundraising arm of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, is launching its most ambitious fundraising campaign ever, with a goal of raising $500 million for Team USA ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. What does this mean to you as an athlete?
I’m thrilled to see Team USA dreaming big, just like the athletes have to in their athletic pursuits. Beyond that, I know that while Team USA is the greatest team in the world, competition is only getting harder and harder, and we can’t rest on our laurels. Instead, we need to double down in our support for athletes, giving them the resources they need to be their best, and to help Team USA stay on the cutting edge of sport innovation so we can stay at the top!
What does it mean to you that fans across our nation feel inspired to support you philanthropically?
It’s so meaningful to me that people are willing to share in the journey of the athlete by contributing. I hear from so many athletes that what makes competing for Team USA so special is the idea that we, as athletes, represent the whole country. The willingness of supporters to contribute is a real measurable way to see the impact of past generations of Olympic and Paralympic athletes. It’s one thing to commit the time to watch the Games and root for the athletes, but it’s another thing entirely to make significant commitments of support. To all of those who have, let me just say that I’m grateful to be on this journey with you.
If you could say one thing to a supporter, what would it be?
Thank you for joining me on this incredible journey and committing yourself as a special part of Team USA!
You can help fuel athletes like Brad by supporting the Team USA Fund. For more information about One for All: The Campaign for Team USA, visit USOPC.org