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Asafa Powell expressed disappointment over the lack of financial recognition for track and field athletes, especially those in field events, highlighting the struggles many face despite competing at elite levels.
Jamaican sprint legend Asafa Powell is saddened by how track and field athletes don’t get enough recognition when it comes to their finances as he revealed a shocking encounter with a former Olympic 100m bronze medallist.
Asafa Powell pointed out that only one or two athletes, especially 100m sprinters, always get value for their talents. They earn a substantial amount that can help them pay coaches and their management and get effective training gear.
However, many athletes, especially those competing in field events, usually get paid peanuts and have to find side hustles to make ends meet. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Asafa Powell sympathised with the field athletes and called upon relevant stakeholders to treat them with some level of dignity.
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18:27 - 01.11.2024
'He can talk all he wants'- Jamaican sprint legend defends Olympic champion Noah Lyles against critics
Jamaican sprint legend Asafa Powell and former Jamaican-Canadian sprinter Donavan Bailey have come to the defense of Noah Lyles against critics who question his outspoken nature.
“Probably one or two athletes make one million US dollars and if you hear from the field athletes, you will cry for them. Like a shot putter or a discus thrower, people like that, trust me you would feel sorry for them knowing that they are doing all of this on the big stage as a professional,” Asafa Powell said in an interview.
“I told Alicia this the other day, there was an athlete who finished third at the Olympic Games in the 100m and a year and a half after that, that person came to me asking for spikes.”
On his part, Donovan Bailey, a double Olympic champion urged youngsters to ensure they get the right people to advise them before signing contracts. He explained that most young people usually get played when signing contracts and they have to live earning peanuts for a long time.
The three-time world champion pointed out that retired athletes should also speak about financial literacy on their platforms and enlighten the upcoming athletes.
“If you have no fiscal knowledge and you are getting your first contract, and you’re 18 or 19 and all of a sudden, you are rich and, to be honest, you are not making a lot. If you get to that place, go to money management people, don’t go to the teller at the bank and don’t spend the money,” Donovan Bailey added.
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