"As athletes prepare to gather next month for global competition at the Milan Cortina Games, organizations like the foundation and the National Brotherhood of Snowsports say they are creating accessibility to the slopes for underserved communities with a charge to develop from recreational-level participation to an Olympic path. Wealth and access to ski resorts make a significant difference in one's ability to progress."
"If there were more organizations like this doing this type of work, I think we would have a lot more funding available for skaters of color to be able to access support and the technical background that they need in order to continue to evolve in the sport, Balde said. The majority of Team USA athletes are white even though the roster is more diverse than some at the Winter Games."
Programs across the U.S. aim to develop diverse skiers, skaters, and snowboarders through accessibility initiatives. Elladj Balde started the Skate Global Foundation inspired by his own experiences as a skater of color. Organizations such as the Skate Global Foundation and National Brotherhood of Snowsports create pathways from recreational participation to Olympic development. Wealth and access to ski resorts significantly affect an athlete's progression, with elite academies costing tens of thousands of dollars. Olympic teams remain majority white despite growing diversity in some rosters, though more athletes of color will compete, particularly from African and Caribbean nations.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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