The pursuit of Olympic glory does not come cheap. There are bills to pay.
Some elite athletes, such as gymnast Suni Lee and swimmer Jessica Long, both Olympic medalists, can rely on their sponsors to support them financially while they focus on training full time. But many Olympians find themselves juggling rigorous training regimens with unconventional jobs to fund their athletic endeavors and the demands of everyday life.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee offers financial rewards to medal winners through its “Operation Gold” payout program. For 2024, athletes will earn $37,500 for every gold medal in Paris, $22,500 for every silver and $15,000 for every bronze. Even for medal winners, that’s far from enough to support an athlete’s career.
Evan Medell, who competes in the heavyweight Para taekwondo division, has no sponsors; his only option is to find jobs that do not limit his rigorous training schedule. “I can hop in and do some factory work; that’s how I supplement my income,” he said in an interview during Team USA’s media event in New York in April.
Another Paralympian, Courtney Ryan, balances two jobs while pursuing her Olympic dreams. The 33-year-old wheelchair basketball player serves as the assistant coach for the women’s wheelchair basketball team at the University of Arizona, and she also works as a grant writer for a nonprofit organization that helps homeowners stay in their homes.
“It is a hard thing to balance, being an elite athlete and working two full-time jobs,” she said at Team USA’s media summit in April. “We need sponsorships to be able to secure financial stability.”
Others take on multiple creative roles. Kaleo Kanahele Maclay, a Paralympic sitting volleyball player, owns a coffee shop and a custom cookie business, while also working for Life Church. Jeffrey Louis, known as B-boy Jeffro, who represents the U.S. in breaking, supports himself with a fitness program and performances around the country. “I am constantly moving,” the Houston native said in an interview. “I perform, which helps with my dancing moves.”
Some athletes train around full-time jobs that are supportive of their Olympic dreams.
Liana Mutia, a Paralympic judoka and a full-time software analyst, works from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. before training for judo for two hours each night. While her full-time jobs limit the amount of time she can dedicate to training, she uses her tech skills to study her opponents, looking for patterns to prepare for her matches. Her goal, in addition to snatching a gold medal, is to earn higher certifications in her field to work oversees in Europe creating technological solutions for other people with disabilities.
After a 12-year NBA career, Jimmer Fredette, a 3×3 men’s basketball player, transitioned to working at Tandem Venture Partners, all while continuing to compete for Team USA. He now focuses on expanding the firm’s investor base in his role at Tandem.
And some have the flexibility of working at jobs where they are supported by their employers.
Take Rower Michelle Sechser. The 10-time national team member and Tokyo Olympian is headed to Paris without a personal sponsor, but she is part of an elite athlete management program launched by Broadridge Financial Services two years ago. A sponsor of U.S. Rowing and the U.S. women’s national team since 2022, Broadridge provides corporate positions for U.S. rowing women’s national team hopefuls, including Sechser, who works as a client success specialist.
Meanwhile, Blake Haxton, a Para canoe athlete and lawyer, works full time as a research analyst for Brandywine Global Investment Management. “I work in a full-time job, a little bit more than a full-time job, and thankfully, with a team that is completely supportive of me racing,” he said.
Unlike athletes who have to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet, Haxton has full support of his co-workers who are bullish on his Olympic dreams. “They are competitive guys who push me at work but also at canoeing at the same time,” he said.
