Some Athletes Use Special Websites to Earn Money for Sports

Some winter sports athletes have trouble finding enough money to train and compete. They are using websites like OnlyFans to earn money. This helps them pay for training and equipment. Some athletes have also shared personal stories.
By Newsroom | Sports, Finance |

The pursuit of Winter Olympic dreams often involves substantial financial challenges, leading some elite athletes to explore unconventional avenues for funding. Recent reports highlight athletes turning to platforms like OnlyFans and engaging in various forms of work to sustain their athletic careers, alongside personal disclosures that have garnered public attention.

Ex-Team GB star reveals punishing financial cost of competing for Winter Olympic medals - after she turned to OnlyFans and pizza delivery work to make ends meet - 1

Financial Realities for Aspiring Olympians

The financial demands of elite winter sports can be immense, often exceeding the support provided by national sporting bodies. Athletes may find themselves responsible for significant costs related to training, equipment, travel, and accommodation. This has prompted several competitors to seek supplementary income.

Ex-Team GB star reveals punishing financial cost of competing for Winter Olympic medals - after she turned to OnlyFans and pizza delivery work to make ends meet - 2

  • Elise Christie, a former Team GB speed skater, has spoken openly about her financial struggles post-retirement. She has reportedly worked for Pizza Hut and has turned to OnlyFans to generate income, stating she makes approximately £5,000 for every 700 new subscribers. This move comes after a decorated career where her success on the Olympic stage did not match her achievements in other championships.

  • Lisa Buckwitz, a German bobsledder, has also utilized an OnlyFans page to fund her Olympic aspirations. She aims to offer a behind-the-scenes look at her training while maintaining a "tasteful amount of skin." This approach, she suggests, is necessary for her to continue competing, particularly with an eye on upcoming Games.

  • Alexandra Ianculescu, a Romanian speed skater who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics, views her OnlyFans presence as a positive force, enabling her to train full-time and afford necessary equipment. She contends that this platform facilitates her sporting ambitions rather than hindering them.

  • Kurt Adams Rozentals, a British canoeist, stated that his OnlyFans account helped him avoid homelessness by supplementing his athlete funding. However, his involvement with the platform has led to a ban from competing, forcing a difficult choice between financial stability and his Olympic aspirations.

Athletes Disclose Personal Matters Amidst Competition

Beyond financial considerations, some winter athletes have made significant personal disclosures that have captured public attention, often during or around their competitive periods.

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Ex-Team GB star reveals punishing financial cost of competing for Winter Olympic medals - after she turned to OnlyFans and pizza delivery work to make ends meet - 3

  • Sturla Holm Lægreid, a Norwegian biathlete, confessed to cheating on his girlfriend during a live television interview shortly after winning a bronze medal. He described the situation as "tough" and expressed regret for hurting someone he loves. Subsequent reports indicate he had not yet heard from his girlfriend following this public confession. This incident is viewed by some as a repeat of past behavioral issues.

  • Alysha Newman, a Canadian pole vaulter who has also used OnlyFans, has faced suspension for breaching anti-doping whereabouts rules. These rules require athletes to provide accurate location information and be available for testing. Newman has balanced her athletic career with her activities on the adult content platform.

The challenges faced by these athletes suggest a systemic issue within the financial structures supporting winter sports.

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Ex-Team GB star reveals punishing financial cost of competing for Winter Olympic medals - after she turned to OnlyFans and pizza delivery work to make ends meet - 4

  • Societal Stigma: Athletes engaging with platforms like OnlyFans report grappling with societal stigma, despite the financial necessity.

  • Systemic Flaws: Some athletes and commentators criticize the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for athlete compensation structures, suggesting that athletes often fund their own careers while others benefit from their image rights. This has led to a perception of a "broken finance system" in sports.

  • Impact of Bans: For some, bans from competition, as seen with Kurt Adams Rozentals, have been directly linked to their participation on OnlyFans. This raises questions about the intersection of personal financial choices and eligibility for elite sporting events.

Personal Costs of High-Level Competition

The dedication required for Olympic-level competition can have profound personal impacts.

  • Elise Christie's experiences extend beyond financial hardship; she has previously spoken about self-harm and an incident of being drugged and raped. She credits a period in rehabilitation with improving her well-being.

  • The tragic event involving Gabrielle "Sam" Linehan, a former Team USA skater, who was reportedly shot and killed in a Starbucks drive-thru, underscores the vulnerability of athletes even after their competitive careers have concluded.

Conclusion

The narratives emerging from the Winter Olympics landscape reveal a complex interplay of financial pressures, personal choices, and public scrutiny. While platforms like OnlyFans offer a potential solution for athletes facing funding gaps, they also introduce challenges related to stigma and potential repercussions. Simultaneously, personal disclosures, whether related to infidelity or past traumas, highlight the intense pressures and personal sacrifices involved in pursuing Olympic glory. The experiences of athletes like Elise Christie, Lisa Buckwitz, Alexandra Ianculescu, Sturla Holm Lægreid, and Alysha Newman collectively illustrate a segment of the athletic community navigating precarious financial realities and confronting difficult personal circumstances in the shadow of the Olympic Games. Further examination of sport funding models and athlete support systems may be warranted.

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Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do some athletes need to make extra money?
Training and competing in winter sports costs a lot of money. Sometimes, the money from sports groups is not enough.
Q: What websites are athletes using?
Some athletes are using websites like OnlyFans to share pictures and videos to earn money.
Q: Is this allowed?
Some athletes can use these sites, but others have been banned from competing because of it.
Q: What else are athletes sharing?
Some athletes are sharing personal stories about their lives and feelings.
Q: Is there a problem with how sports are funded?
Some people think the way sports are funded is not fair to athletes. Athletes often pay for their own careers.