He told them that he worried universities would see a school in Alaska, of all places, cutting skiing and decide they could also do without. For months, assistants largely ran the program while Anderson focused on fund-raising and sought to protect his athletes from the worries that sometimes seemed overwhelming. “Everybody has to have a goal, everybody has to have something to shoot for. If you can give us that goal, we’re going to get there.”A similar sentiment enveloped the gymnastics program. The women began writing to club gyms across the country in search of support and doing handstands on social media to spur donations.

Source: New York Times August 09, 2021 12:53 UTC