Hundreds of Olympic and Paralympic athletes will not be able to afford to continue competing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics unless funding increases, a new survey has found.
Of 189 athletes surveyed by the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), 64% said they would quit their careers if funding did not change next cycle, while 21% said they were not sure whether they would continue. It stayed the same.
The survey sample reflects roughly one in six funded athletes, and if expanded to include all of them, BEAA said 750 athletes would feel unable to represent their country in the United States in 2028.
Funding levels for the loop to Los Angeles are expected to be confirmed by the government after the autumn budget.
Three-time Olympic diving champion Jack Laugher has revealed he posted photos of himself on OnlyFans to boost his income during the Paris Olympics.
“Across sports, we’ve seen players increasingly rely on their families to sustain their careers or quit entirely because they can’t afford to continue,” said Olympic hockey champion Hollie Pearne-Webb.
“A lot of work has been made up to Paris, but many people, especially low-income athletes, will not be able to support themselves for another four years without more subsidies.
“In recent years, many people have been unable to participate in elite sport due to the personal finances currently required to make a living.
“It was the Sydney 2000 Olympics that inspired me in sport. If we do not urgently address athlete funding, we will drive out the next generation of British Olympians and Paralympians or limit that honor to the most privileged. “
Pearne-Webb co-signed a letter with nine other elite athletes which was sent to Culture Minister Lisa Nandy this week:
“Now we are concerned that, at a time when the sporting system is under enormous financial pressure, we will be asked to do so until at least 2028. Such a demand would have devastating consequences.”
Athletes have written to Culture Minister Lisa Nandy about how they could be halted due to lack of funding.
BEAA estimates that the average athlete earns less than £22,500 a year, with some athletes earning the same in 2024 as they did in 2012.
During that period, inflation reached almost 40%, leaving even the most well-funded athletes more than £11,000 worse off each year.
One respondent to the BEAA survey, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the subsidies athletes receive are “not enough to live on.” This is especially true if you have a family to support.
“I am considering retirement for this reason. Many athletes, including myself, are struggling. I have countless former athlete friends who are in debt and have lost a lot. There is even a couple who ended up homeless.”
One disabled athlete said he felt “guilty” that he still relied on his family for financial support.
A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing multi-year funding for our elite sporting system and enabling our athletes to excel on the world stage.
“This means supporting our success in Paris and providing financial support to build on it to deliver results in LA 2028. We will set out more details in our Spending Review.”
The government has invested £385 million of Treasury and lottery funds for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic cycle.
