Funding my Olympic dream

I'm Madeleine (Maddy) Focht, and I'm a rower! I'm fundraising so I can continue to train full time as I pursue my dream representing the USA and my hometown club Long Beach Rowing Association at the Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris and Los Angeles on my home course in 2028!  When I was 12 years old, Joan Lind Van Blom (first American woman to win an Olympic medal in rowing and from Long Beach) saw something in a middle school runner that I wouldn't see myself until 14 years later. Rowing and I are a perfect match! Training at this level takes many long hours, a drive to be better than the day before, and a need to compete. It doesn't leave much time to work a job that will pay for the costs of equipment, travel, food, and accommodations at regattas around the country and the world. In March 2022 I had my first 2K race at the National Selection Regatta (NSR) where I came in 24th, and with added coaching support from ARION in Saratoga NY, in April 2023 represented Team USA at the Pan American Games Qualifiers in Chile.  We won Gold with my ARION teammate Veronica Nicacio and silver in the quad with Grace Joyce (Craftsbury), Veronica and my ARION teammate Katherine Horvat!

Your generous donations have allowed me  to purchase new oars and pay camp costs,  plus flights and hotel for my trip to Chile. 

 I'm tremendously grateful for any and all donations that can help support me with the ongoing costs of training and competing in this season leading into the Olympic Games in 2024, and beyond. Your generosity will help me to represent and promote diversity and inclusion in the sport of rowing and at the Olympic games. Thank you so much!

(cover photo credit: Lisa Worthy @aworthyphoto)