That aside honestly I don't see why anyone would bother to even do it for such low pay.
Being in the Olympics sound prestigious but I wouldn’t bother putting the effort for such low rewards.
Being in the Olympics sound prestigious but I wouldn’t bother putting the effort for such low rewards.
I think you have a different idea about what a reward is than athletes do. Being among the best athletes in the world, and being able to just perform their favorite sport is probably the reward to them, otherwise they wouldn't have made it there anyway.
That, and world class athletes are just wired differently than you or me. In addition to the obvious physical gifts, they must share some of the personality traits with politicians and executives - incredible competitiveness, large ego, etc.
Aren't athletes routinely given room, board, gear, and free coaching from their governments? Aren't many events mainly for upper-class types anyway (events with horses or expensive winter gear, for example)?
If making a living isn't a concern, prestige is a really nice job perk.
"Unlike national Olympic committees in many other countries, Blackmun noted, the USOC receives no government support to help it pay athletes."
the Olympic Training Center has some limited housing for athletes but you have to live in Colorado Springs.
Im sure coaching / private lessons pay a lot more. Fuck the prestige, its just ego boosting with vampire scum sucker execs really winning anyhow.