Question About Sports, Athletes and Olympic Pay

[aok]

I was under the impression that a person who received money for playing their sport could not compete in college. That they lose their eligibility as an Amateur . Well if the Gold is worth $25,000, the Silver $15,000 and Bronze $10,000,how does this affect these athletes

[LarryN]

I was under the impression that a person who received money for playing their sport could not compete in college. That they lose their eligibility as an Amateur . Well if the Gold is worth $25,000, the Silver $15,000 and Bronze $10,000,how does this affect these athletes

That is an honorarium from the US Olympic Committee. If they wish to retain their college eligibility, the athlete can simply decline the honorarium.

[EmDot]

Missy Franklin Wants to Swim in College, Put Off Endorsement Fortunes

[jtowne-swim]

I was under the impression that a person who received money for playing their sport could not compete in college. That they lose their eligibility as an Amateur . Well if the Gold is worth $25,000, the Silver $15,000 and Bronze $10,000,how does this affect these athletes

You can pass up the money. Many have done so!

[gps29070]

Big gamble though, if she isn't winning medals in the 2016 games, NBC and corporate america will build up another female star in her place and she'll be all forgotten about.

She seems to be a wonderful kid and I hope this works out for her. The pressure on her has to be enormous.

[jtowne-swim]

Big gamble though, if she isn't winning medals in the 2016 games, NBC and corporate america will build up another female star in her place and she'll be all forgotten about.

She seems to be a wonderful kid and I hope this works out for her. The pressure on her has to be enormous.

Not really a big gamble because in the world of swimming, with one or two notable exceptions, you do not swim with the expectation of ever turning it into a career. The NCAA comercial holds true here. She will have no problem procuring a full ride to college and Speedo will easily toss her an endorsement contract when she is done. Maybe not as much but those are long term and still never amount to a living. All swimmers need a plan to make a living after swimming.