Olympic Athletes Have Many Different Jobs Besides Sports

Did you know Olympians have jobs too? Some are dentists, farmers, or even birthday party clowns! This is very different from just sports.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Many Olympic athletes hold demanding day jobs alongside their rigorous training schedules, demonstrating a range of professional backgrounds that often surprise the public. These careers span professions from highly technical fields to those focused on entertainment and animal care, highlighting the varied lives of elite competitors.

17 Olympians With Day Jobs That Are So Odd, They'll Make You Say, "What?!? There's Absolutely No Way!!" Because They're Just *That* Random - 1

The Scope of Non-Sporting Careers

The evidence indicates a significant number of Olympians maintain substantial careers outside of their chosen sport. These roles provide not only financial stability but also a grounding influence and an outlet for other talents and interests.

17 Olympians With Day Jobs That Are So Odd, They'll Make You Say, "What?!? There's Absolutely No Way!!" Because They're Just *That* Random - 2

  • Financial and Practical Support: For many, these jobs are essential for funding their athletic endeavors. Article 4 notes a "scientific job provides stability and helps fund her training schedule," and a "medical career provides both financial security and meaningful work beyond sport."

  • Diversification of Skills: The occupations showcase a wide array of professional paths. Examples include dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, army service, and veterinary work related to horse breeding.

  • Personal Fulfillment: Beyond financial needs, these roles often fulfill athletes' passions or provide a sense of purpose outside the intense world of competitive sports. Article 4 mentions a job that "keeps her grounded in everyday routines when she’s not racing internationally."

Notable Occupations Identified

Analysis of the provided reports reveals a spectrum of day jobs held by Olympic athletes. These roles are often juxtaposed with the intense physical demands of their sports.

17 Olympians With Day Jobs That Are So Odd, They'll Make You Say, "What?!? There's Absolutely No Way!!" Because They're Just *That* Random - 3
Athlete's Name / SportOccupationSource
Tara Peterson (Curling)Dentist1
Tabitha Peterson (Curling)Pharmacist, Coach1
Morelle McCane (Boxing)Birthday Party Clown1, 7
Alex Deibold (Sport not specified)Helped other riders1
Angel McCoughtry (Basketball)Ice Cream Shop Owner7
Jared Ward (Marathon Running)Math Professor7
Thomas Muirhead (Curling)Sheep Farmer5
Glen Muirhead (Curling)Sheep Farmer5
Scott Evans (Badminton)Fashion Entrepreneur5
Christopher Fogt (Bobsled)Army Officer5
Unnamed Athlete (Sport not specified)Breeding Director at Magnolia Sport Horses3
Unnamed Athlete (Sport not specified)Remote work for Harvard Biodesign Lab7
Unnamed Athlete (Sport not specified)Healthcare (assumed future)2
Unnamed Athlete (Sport not specified)Engineer2, 3

The Role of Practical Employment

The employment status of these athletes often directly supports their Olympic aspirations. Article 4 highlights that a "scientific job provides stability and helps fund her training schedule," suggesting a deliberate integration of career and sport. Similarly, a "medical career provides both financial security and meaningful work beyond sport," indicating that these professions offer more than just income.

Read More: Kamila Sellier's face cut by skate blade during Milan Olympics 1500m race

17 Olympians With Day Jobs That Are So Odd, They'll Make You Say, "What?!? There's Absolutely No Way!!" Because They're Just *That* Random - 4

Could it be that the stability offered by these diverse professions allows athletes the focus required for elite training, rather than creating a conflict? The information suggests that these day jobs are not merely hobbies but rather integral components of an athlete's life, providing structure and resources.

Athlete Perspectives on Dual Careers

While not extensively detailed in the provided summaries, there are indications of athletes balancing their passion for sport with their professional lives. One summary mentions an athlete who "continued to model, but quit her day job as a receptionist so she could train five hours a day, five days a week." This implies a conscious decision-making process involving prioritization between sport and employment. Another statement, "I don’t like training all the time," from Article 2, hints at the need for varied activities or mental breaks that a day job might provide.

Read More: Team USA Men's Hockey Beats Slovakia 6-2 to Reach Olympic Gold Medal Game

Is it possible that the demanding nature of Olympic training necessitates activities that offer a different kind of engagement or intellectual stimulation? The data points to a need for balance and variety in the lives of these athletes.

Conclusion and Implications

The evidence strongly supports the conclusion that Olympic athletes engage in a wide array of demanding professions outside of their sporting careers. These day jobs serve crucial roles in providing financial support, professional fulfillment, and a stable life structure. The varied nature of these occupations, from highly scientific to creative and service-oriented, underscores the multifaceted lives of elite athletes.

Further investigation could explore:

  • The specific time commitments required by these day jobs and how they are managed alongside training.

  • The psychological benefits or challenges associated with balancing such disparate professional and athletic demands.

  • Whether athletes' chosen day jobs influence their performance or career trajectory post-Olympics.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kind of jobs do Olympic athletes have besides sports?
Olympic athletes have many different jobs. Some are dentists, pharmacists, sheep farmers, engineers, army officers, and even birthday party clowns. They also own ice cream shops and work as math professors.
Q: Why do Olympic athletes have day jobs?
Athletes have day jobs to get money to pay for their training and to have a stable life. These jobs also help them feel normal and use other skills they have.
Q: Are there famous Olympic athletes with surprising jobs?
Yes, some Olympians have surprising jobs. For example, some are dentists, like Tara Peterson, or pharmacists, like Tabitha Peterson. Morelle McCane is a birthday party clown, and Thomas Muirhead is a sheep farmer.
Q: How do Olympic athletes balance sports and their jobs?
It is hard to balance sports and jobs. Some athletes quit their jobs to train more. Others find jobs that give them stability and help fund their sports.
Q: What are some examples of Olympic athletes and their jobs?
Jared Ward, a marathon runner, is a math professor. The Peterson sisters, who curl, are a dentist and a pharmacist. Christopher Fogt, a bobsledder, is an army officer.