As of right now, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Elite Athlete Health Insurance program offers support to Team USA athletes. It offers coverage for a year following the conclusion of a pregnancy, if the athlete still intends to compete. Athlete stipends are also available.
Athletes can now have extra time to recuperate and reapply for financing under USATF’s new strategy, which extends the time frame. financing is determined by a tiered system of performance and rankings that must be met by a specific date. Athletes must fulfill specific requirements in order to be eligible for tier status, such as placing in the top 15 worldwide rankings or winning a medal at the most recent major competition (such as the Olympics or world championships). There are more performance-based tiers as well.
Six athletes are covered by USATF’s enhanced policy this season, which is funded in part by the organization’s general budget. In addition to offering additional support through the USATF’s high-performance programs, it reimburses COBRA health insurance premiums.
According to USATF Chief Operating Officer Renee Chube Washington, “For us, it’s a pretty simple fix—and an important fix.” It’s challenging to be a new parent. We can and will help relieve some of that stress if we can.
Track and field athletes faced the same kind of message for a very long time: become pregnant and encounter obstacles. More light is being shown on the topic thanks to the acts of some of the best runners in the sport throughout the years, including Felix, Kara Goucher, and Alysia Montano. Their efforts to obtain more safeguards for endorsement-contract provisions were successful.
And Clemons wants to help clear the path.
Clemons, who won a silver medal in the 60-meter hurdles at the 2018 World Indoor Championships, stated, “It’s extremely important because these changes that us mothers are making will change the outlook women have on becoming mothers while still competing.” “Because they are afraid they won’t receive assistance, many women put off having children until after their professions are done. When guys don’t have to put their lives on wait, we shouldn’t either.
Additionally, USATF is looking into ways to offer parent athletes choices for child care during major events.
“Everything is a part of a comprehensive strategy to support our athletes,” Washington stated. “It’s a crucial component of the secret sauce that helps us reach our goal of being on the podium.”
The new health insurance plan changed everything for Clemons.
Clemons continued to compete until she was two and a half months pregnant, finishing her career in June 2022 at the U.S. Outdoor Championships. She missed the September deadline to requalify for tier benefits since she didn’t formally return to training until October of last year. She expressed her worries to officials via email after email.
She has an extension under the new program to reach tier status. Clemons qualified for the world indoor championships last month and reached the hurdles semifinals. She didn’t feel fully back, though, until a race two weeks ago, when she tied a personal record.
In an attempt to secure a trip to Paris, Clemons, who is getting ready for the U.S. Olympic trials in June, stated, “What USATF did to correct this (gap) is huge for mothers.” “I’m really grateful.
“I have the necessary backing behind me. I have the strongest feeling that I’ll be selected for this squad and win a medal.