The article critiques the Olympic movement's prioritization of officials over athletes, highlighting the scant financial support athletes receive compared to the massive revenues generated by the International Olympic Committee.
The article discusses concerns about the structure of the Olympic movement as analyzed from the perspective of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Notably, it reveals that in the previous Olympic cycle, the IOC generated a staggering $7.6 billion (approximately €6.5 billion), while the Latvian Olympic Committee received a meager €3.2 million as its portion. Athletes, who serve as the primary asset generating these revenues, do not receive any compensation for their participation and are also prohibited from advertising their sponsors. This raises concerns about fair treatment and financial equity within the system.
Experts consulted during a series featured in the article label the current system as a form of enslavement, arguing that it exploits athletes without providing them adequate financial rewards. Various proposals have emerged, such as providing Olympic athletes with an immediate payment of $25,000 or a total of $40,000 over a four-year cycle. These suggestions aim to ensure athletes receive a fair share of the substantial profits generated by the Olympic movement.
Despite the outcry from various organizations advocating for the financial rights of athletes, the IOC has responded rather bluntly, stating there are no plans to compensate athletes and that the responsibility of preparing them lies with individual member states. Furthermore, the Latvian Olympic Committee has not submitted any proposals to the IOC for reform, leaving athletes in a precarious financial position as they train for international competitions without adequate support or resources.
