The Sarah Burke Foundation awarded scholarships to seven athletes currently competing in the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
The foundation is marking its 10th anniversary this year, which was started after Burke, a pioneering Canadian freestyle skier, died in a skiing accident in 2012.
The foundation said in a news release that four of the “Up and Coming” scholarship recipients and three of its “Spirit of Sarah” scholarship recipients are currently representing Teams Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain at the Games.
“I’m sure Sarah would be smiling to see all these kids that she was able to help go,” said Rory Bushfield, Burke’s widower and president of the foundation. “Winning the Olympics is a huge dream, but just going, I think, is pretty incredible.”
Liam Gill, Elena Gaskell and Megan Oldham represent Team Canada in snowboard halfpipe and ski slopestyle. Maddie Mastro, Tessa Maud and Winter Vinicki represent Team USA in snowboard slopestyle, snowboard halfpipe, women’s aerials and women’s slopestyle. Kristy Muir represents Team Great Britain in women’s ski slopestyle. Additionally, Dylan Ladd was selected as a Team USA alternate in ski slopestyle. If Ladd ends up competing, that will mark the eighth athlete who received a scholarship from the foundation.
“It brings a tear to my eye to see those kids dropping in and just smiling... That’s the biggest place you can compete in the sport,” said Bushfield. “Those kids made it to the main stage, and I just couldn’t be prouder of them.”
The results for the Team Canada athletes have been mixed so far. As a last-minute alternate, Liam Gill finished 23rd in men’s snowboard halfpipe. Elena Gaskell crashed during a training run and had to pull out of competition after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus as well as a bone bruise to her femur. Though disappointed, Gaskell committed to coming back stronger in an Instagram post.
Megan Oldham qualified first in women’s freestyle ski big air event and ended in fourth after the finals. Oldham also competed in women’s freestyle ski slopestyle where she just missed the 12-person cut for the finals by finishing 13th on Feb. 14 in qualifiers.
The release noted that the foundation “honours exceptional, young winter athletes who most embody Sarah’s ideals, and provides them with monetary scholarships to help them along their sports journey.”
The foundation further said that this was the first time that seven recipients have gone on to represent their respective countries in the Olympics.
Since the foundation’s inception, Bushfield said they have given out approximately 20 scholarships or two per year worth $7,500 apiece. But, he added that this year they offered four more worth $500.
“I’m always trying to expand it, man. Raise more capital and give it all to kids,” said Bushfield. “I’m so thankful that we started that foundation. It really brings a lot of joy to my life.”
Part of the scholarship application is a short video explaining what Sarah Burke meant to the athlete. Bushfield said that sometimes those can be tough to watch, but ultimately rewarding.
“These kids… they’re so sweet. And they’re just talking about Sarah and how Sarah impacted their life,” said Bushfield. “They’re just saying the sweetest stuff about Sarah.”
“Over the years, it’s pulled on my heartstrings.”
For more information about the scholarships and the foundation, please visit sarahburkefoundation.com.
**Please note, this story was updated to reflect Megan Oldham's new standings.
