TL;DR intro
- Side Jobs for Athletes:Many Olympic athletes, despite their impressive achievements, work side jobs to support their athletic careers, including gigs as birthday party clowns and OnlyFans creators.
- Financial Struggles:Financial struggles are common, with a significant percentage of athletes reporting that they don't consider themselves financially stable, despite years of training and competition.
- Income Disparity:The disparity in income between top athletes in professional sports and lesser-known Olympians highlights the challenges many face in balancing their passion with financial realities.
Athletes' Side Hustles to Make Ends Meet
Olympic athletes are among the most dedicated and skilled individuals on the planet, often spending years honing their craft to compete at the highest level. However, behind the scenes, many of these athletes face significant financial challenges, pushing them to take on side jobs to fund their Olympic dreams.
Jack Laugher, a bronze medalist diver from Great Britain, and Robbie Manson, a rower from New Zealand, are among those who have turned to platforms like OnlyFans to supplement their income. Manson openly admitted that his earnings from content creation far surpass what he makes from rowing, stating, "I get more than double what I would be on otherwise as an athlete."
A Growing Trend Among Athletes
The trend of athletes taking on side gigs is not limited to a few. American rugby player Ilona Maher, who gained viral fame during the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, has focused much of her off-field efforts on building a substantial social media following. Her goal? To transform her athletic success into a sustainable career. This is not an isolated case, as other Olympians like Dani Ramirez, Suni Lee, and Hunter Woodhall have also ventured into social media influencing, viewing it as a "whole second job."
Moreover, the situation extends beyond digital platforms. Boxer Morelle McCane, who was recently eliminated from the Paris games in a close match, has worked various jobs, including as a birthday party clown, daycare supervisor, and mailroom worker, to support her athletic career. This is a stark contrast to the public perception of Olympic athletes as solely focused on their sport.
The reality is that many Olympic sports do not offer substantial financial rewards unless athletes reach the pinnacle of their discipline. For instance, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee awards $37,500 for a gold medal, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze. While these figures may seem significant, they pale in comparison to the financial demands of training, travel, and competition.
The Cost of Competing on the World Stage
Training for the Olympics is not just physically demanding; it is also a significant financial burden. Olympic hopefuls can spend tens of thousands of dollars annually on training, travel, gear, and other expenses. For example, sprint kayaker Shaye Hatchette revealed in 2021 that she was spending over $38,000 a year on her sport. While some costs are offset by scholarships or grants, much of the financial burden falls on the athletes and their families.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee spent $372 million on athlete development in 2022, but this support is far from sufficient for many athletes. In fact, a 2020 survey by Global Athlete found that 58% of nearly 500 elite athletes did not consider themselves financially stable. Many of these athletes relied on parental support, prize money from major championships, and flexible jobs to make ends meet.
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The Disparity Between Athletes
While some athletes struggle to balance their Olympic aspirations with financial realities, others enjoy lucrative careers outside of the games. NBA stars like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry, who are among the highest-paid athletes globally, participate in the Olympics but do not face the same financial pressures. Their earnings, which range from $102 million to $128.8 million annually, dwarf the income of less prominent athletes.
Golfers like John Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler, as well as tennis players such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga ÅšwiÄ…tek, also fall into this high-earner category. These athletes benefit from lucrative endorsement deals and tournament winnings, which allow them to focus solely on their sport.
However, for the majority of Olympians, the reality is far less glamorous. Nic Fink, a three-time Paris medal-winning swimmer, and Canyon Barry, a gold medalist in shot put, both balance their athletic careers with full-time engineering jobs. Barry, who holds a master's degree in nuclear engineering, often juggles work presentations with training sessions, even if it means working in the early hours of the morning.
The Toll on Athletes
Balancing a full-time job with Olympic-level training is no small feat. Sports psychologist Mark Aoyagi from the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology highlights the challenges athletes face. "When you're an athlete where one one-hundredth of a second is the difference between making the podium or not, the person who is on their feet for eight hours a day, 40 hours a week, is at a disadvantage," he explains.
This balancing act can take a toll not only physically but also mentally. Athletes like Barry acknowledge the difficulties but also see it as part of the Olympic spirit—doing whatever it takes to pursue their dreams. However, the long days and lack of sleep can add to the stress, impacting both performance and overall well-being.
Despite these challenges, many athletes remain determined to succeed. Their stories shed light on the often-overlooked financial struggles that come with the pursuit of Olympic glory. As the public cheers for their favorite Olympians on the global stage, it is worth remembering the sacrifices these athletes make, both on and off the field, to chase their dreams.
