Ski Jasper Alberta News

Weiss announces formation of new charity

The Michael Weiss Foundation to award skating scholarships to youngsters facing financial hardships. Weiss also prepares to represent U.S. for the seventh time in upcoming figure skating World Championships.

Washington, DC February 5, 2004--Two-time Olympian and three-time United States National figure skating champion Michael Weiss announced today the formation of the Michael Weiss Foundation, a non-profit organization created to provide skating scholarships to deserving youths. In its initial endeavor, the Michael Weiss Foundation is offering three scholarships based on essay question responses, athletic criterion and monetary needs. These financial awards will go towards helping offset the high cost of figure skating for novice and junior level skaters.

The first American to land a quad toe loop in competition, a move judged by USA Today as one of the "10 Hardest Things to do in Sports," the 27 year old Weiss will be representing the United States for the seventh time in the upcoming World Championships in Dortmund, Germany. "I know when I was an up and coming skater, being recognized with financial support had a huge affect on my career, " said Weiss from his Washington, D.C. area home. "It has always been a dream of mine to help inspire and support the next generation of American skaters that same way."

Additional information on the Foundation and skating scholarships can be found at michaelweiss.org.

Michael Weiss, a coveted public speaker and the recipient of the 1999 "Father of the Year" as awarded by the National Fatherhood Initiative, is married with two children and has a long history of charitable involvement including Special Olympics and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.