When the Olympics were postponed for an entire year, it left a lot of swimmers wondering if they could afford to keep their dreams alive. ISL swimmer Amy Bilquist<\/strong> was one of them.<\/p>\n

The reigning U.S. champion in the 100-meter backstroke, Bilquist is a full year removed from college at Cal and was looking at 2020 as her career finale, whether that happened at the Olympic trials or in Tokyo.<\/p>\n

After dealing with several injuries the past few years, she had to make a decision about her future.<\/p>\n

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Justin Ress. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick<\/p><\/div>\n
Justin Ress<\/strong> has re-signed with the Cali Condors after this news.<\/p>\n
“It’s absolutely huge and it gives athletes like me or athletes similar to me an opportunity to keep going and training full time without having to obtain another job for financial stability,\u201d Ress said. \u201cJust a few years ago that wasn’t possible. I can’t say enough good things about how the ISL has a very good balance between spectator interest and athlete interest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some swimmers will receive $3,500 a month through bonuses related to their success and status in a package that provides $11m in funding for swimmers: $6 million has been set aside for wages, while a further $5 million has been allocated to prize money for a condensed ISL season.<\/p>\n
That is a big boost for swimmers who are living around the world, training in places other than at home. Such stars as Katie Ledecky<\/strong> weighed in on the decision via social media:<\/p>\n
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Grateful for the support being shown by the @iswimleague for the sport through backing swimmers during this time<\/a><\/p>\n
A post shared by Katie Ledecky<\/a> (@katieledecky) on Apr 4, 2020 at 11:11am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n