Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of the events are sports for the wealthy anyway.

This. You won't see any minority competitors for some events.

There are "minorities" who can afford to have their kids do any sport.

OP, the big names make a ton of money in the tens of millions. Many families hope that their kids will strike it rich, so the investments may pay off.
Some sports are not that expensive to train in, like track and cycling. Others like diving, gymnastics, and ice skating require more money, but even the most expensive of these is affordable for middle class families who just work extra and sacrifice here and there. Also, by the time the athlete really starts to look like a potential winner, the coaches often cut the families some slack if they have few resources. The coaches see it as a win win proposition because if the athlete does well, it is good advertising for the coach. It becomes a kind of scholarship based on need and skill.
Sponsors will also help out, but again, only after the athlete has proven him/her self.

Anonymous wrote:I get that they are driven and want to be the best in the world. I get that they train every day and make sacrifices. I don't get how they are paid or pay for their trainers. Sponsors are one thing, but real cash is another. Wo are these gymnasts families that triple mortgage their homes so their child can continue training? There are only so many Pantene commercials to be made, right? Why not turn pro and earn a salary out of it? Can someone straighten me out?

Some are supported by the national organizations for their sport. Some get sponsors who pay for their training, and a stipend for living expenses. And some are supported by their families. So, who are these families that triple mortgage their homes so that their children can go to the best private academies, or the best Ivy league colleges? For some families, if their child excels at academics, will mortgage their homes and tap their retirements to ensure their children get the best education. Likewise, if their child excels at some athletics, they will mortgage their home and tap their retirements to ensure their children get the best training for their sport.

As for turning pro, there are professional gymnasts that perform in gymnastic shows that tour the country. There are also gymnasts that get jobs working for organizations like Cirque du Soleil and shows in Las Vegas, etc. But, the majority of the gymnasts who get those positions are ones who have already made a name for themselves, usually by excelling at the national and world competitions and the Olympics. The Hamm brothers are going to be bigger draws than two-time US national champion Jonathan Horton.

I'm from a third world country where the athletes are supported by the family, community and themselves. Most of them have a FT job and train in between.

Most of our track athletes train early in the morning when it's not too hot outside, they go to work running for example. There's no such a thing as scholarships for sports and if you want to train you have to pay to join a club. It's so sad to see all these talents going for a waste because they don't have the funds to join a club.

Anonymous wrote:Some of the events are sports for the wealthy anyway.

This. You won't see any minority competitors for some events.

Some of the events are sports for the wealthy anyway.

I knew a bunch of Olympic water polo players in a past Olympics. First the best water polo training in the country is Stanford, so they were all on college scholarships and trained for about 5 hours a day and studied for the rest of the time. So they were only giving up summer jobs, etc. which if you think about it a lot of people do for internships and the like. Olympic silver medalist gets a lot more attention on a resume than most internships.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get that they are driven and want to be the best in the world. I get that they train every day and make sacrifices. I don't get how they are paid or pay for their trainers. Sponsors are one thing, but real cash is another. Wo are these gymnasts families that triple mortgage their homes so their child can continue training? There are only so many Pantene commercials to be made, right? Why not turn pro and earn a salary out of it? Can someone straighten me out?

Pro gymnasts? Most Olympic sports don't have professionals.

Some gymnasts go pro, but it's a better bet (usually) to stay amateur and get a college scholarship. There's not much money to be made by most gymnasts, and for most, their careers are over by the time they are college age.

And wouldn't most of us make sacrifices so that our child can reach their dream, whatever their dream might be?

UNited states Olympic committee pays for lodging and food if you are at a train g center. Otherwise you still get money and get uniformed and usually the community helps out.

They work at jobs with cooperative employers.

Their families support them...

They conduct fundraisers...

It is tough.

The pursuit of excellence is worth sacrifice. They aren't the only ones giving up more lucrative paths to achieve greatness.

Anonymous wrote:I get that they are driven and want to be the best in the world. I get that they train every day and make sacrifices. I don't get how they are paid or pay for their trainers. Sponsors are one thing, but real cash is another. Wo are these gymnasts families that triple mortgage their homes so their child can continue training? There are only so many Pantene commercials to be made, right? Why not turn pro and earn a salary out of it? Can someone straighten me out?

It depends on sport. Jesus. Track, swimming, even gymnastics have events overseas for professionals and they get paid. The ads you see are for the USOC to cover the costs of the trip to the Olympics. Except Olympic basketball which is its own entity and makes a shitload of cash hence the players asking to be paid.

Anonymous wrote:I get that they are driven and want to be the best in the world. I get that they train every day and make sacrifices. I don't get how they are paid or pay for their trainers. Sponsors are one thing, but real cash is another. Wo are these gymnasts families that triple mortgage their homes so their child can continue training? There are only so many Pantene commercials to be made, right? Why not turn pro and earn a salary out of it? Can someone straighten me out?

Pro gymnasts? Most Olympic sports don't have professionals.

Oh I've also wondered about this...

I get that they are driven and want to be the best in the world. I get that they train every day and make sacrifices. I don't get how they are paid or pay for their trainers. Sponsors are one thing, but real cash is another. Wo are these gymnasts families that triple mortgage their homes so their child can continue training? There are only so many Pantene commercials to be made, right? Why not turn pro and earn a salary out of it? Can someone straighten me out?