Sometimes, chasing the Olympic dream is not as glamorous as it may seem. Short track speedskater Emily Scott recently hit some financial hardships and actually had to apply for food stamps. But thanks to the support of the American public, Scott’s Olympic dreams are back on track.
Emily Scott trains for the Olympics eight hours a day, six days a week. It sounds like a full-time job.
“It’s definitely a full-time job, but I’m not paid like a full-time job.”
And there’s the problem. Scott, who moved to Utah five years ago, used to receive a stipend from U.S. Speedskating of almost two thousand dollars per month. But recently, that was cut to 600. That’s not enough to cover living expenses and equipment costs.
“I really thought it was a mistake. I just called my dad in a panic because I wasn’t sure if I was going to stay out here.”
Scott works part-time at a medical supply company, but things got desperate enough that she had to apply for food stamps.
“It was a pretty low point, but it’s what I thought that I had to do.”
With her Olympic hopes on thin ice, Scott joined a fundraising website called Gofundme.com, where people can donate money. Then, something remarkable happened. USA Today did a feature story on Emily chronicling her financial difficulties. All of a sudden, her fundraising efforts jumped from about 200 dollars to 47,000.
“I was just overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe that complete strangers were willing to be touched by my story. I wrote stories to every single person that donated, but I know that thank you will never be enough.”
Scott says the best way to thank her supporters is to make the Olympic team and win a medal.
“People are just amazing, so amazing. I just hope that I can make them all proud.”
Emily Scott trains for the Olympics eight hours a day, six days a week. It sounds like a full-time job.
“It’s definitely a full-time job, but I’m not paid like a full-time job.”
And there’s the problem. Scott, who moved to Utah five years ago, used to receive a stipend from U.S. Speedskating of almost two thousand dollars per month. But recently, that was cut to 600. That’s not enough to cover living expenses and equipment costs.
“I really thought it was a mistake. I just called my dad in a panic because I wasn’t sure if I was going to stay out here.”
Scott works part-time at a medical supply company, but things got desperate enough that she had to apply for food stamps.
“It was a pretty low point, but it’s what I thought that I had to do.”
With her Olympic hopes on thin ice, Scott joined a fundraising website called Gofundme.com, where people can donate money. Then, something remarkable happened. USA Today did a feature story on Emily chronicling her financial difficulties. All of a sudden, her fundraising efforts jumped from about 200 dollars to 47,000.
“I was just overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe that complete strangers were willing to be touched by my story. I wrote stories to every single person that donated, but I know that thank you will never be enough.”
Scott says the best way to thank her supporters is to make the Olympic team and win a medal.
“People are just amazing, so amazing. I just hope that I can make them all proud.”
