Fencer / model goes viral with video of how many other countries pay their Olympians to win medals against the United States and it’s alarming

Although, for obvious reasons, she maintained great popularity on social media. So much so that this Tik Tok she posted has up to 20 million views. And the information Monica drops is as revealing as any of her modeling posts.

Honestly, I had no idea that Olympians all over the world are paid so much by their country to win medals. No idea. I guess it’s pretty easy to find out. But when you look at the cover and it’s filled with all this soaring, idealistic rhetoric about athletes triumphing to celebrate cultures and promote better understanding through the pursuit of friendly excellence and build a better world tomorrow, they never throw, “And this swimmer from Singapore who just won gold is about to get fucking PAAAID, Jacques! “

I will not pretend to understand the economies of countries like Singapore, Indonesia or the Philippines. So I don’t know if almost a quarter of a million US dollars is generational wealth or just a good down payment of the generational wealth out there. But I can do math (read: I can use the calculator on my laptop), and I know that an American earning gold is paid almost exactly 1 / 20th of what he earns in these places. One. Twentieth.

So basically you’re giving up years of your life, working out, staying in shape, sacrificing your free time, giving up indulgences, and striving to be the best you can be. Then if by some miracle you do your best when it matters most against everyone around the world who also paid the price and you win, you get as much as if you said “Fuck it all” and take an entry level 9 to 5er. But if you come in second, whoever beats you can go back to their home country and buy a large estate with their winnings.

Who knew being an American Olympian was a sucker game?

Let’s be clear about one thing: in no way do I support the granting of public funds to Olympians. If I find out that they are using taxpayer dollars to pay for medals in kayaking and hammer throwing, I throw Mike Eruzione in Boston Harbor. (Note: this is just hyperbole. It’s a national treasure.) But there is more than enough sponsorship money to pay these people what other countries are doing. Hell, when they pitched the idea of ​​bringing the Games to Boston for 2024, it appeared former Mass Governor Deval Patrick was doing some consultancy work promoting the cause, and he was making $ 7,500. per day.

The Olympics don’t exist because of all the idealistic bullshit they claim to represent, but because they’re a cash cow. Companies are paying Texas-sized mountains of money to promote fast food and sparkling corn syrup drinks. Too much of that money goes to people who wear costumes when it should go to those we really listen to.

Not exclusively to Monica Aksamit, but I would like her to earn more than $ 15,000 for what she has accomplished. Even if something tells me that she has a great career ahead of her in her other favorite field.

Jerry’s final thought: Remember this the next time someone complains about the United States sending our professionals to the Olympics. These other athletes do not compete out of sheer altruism that makes them morally superior. They are there to make money like anyone else. And for every Kevin Durant we send, there are dozens and dozens of Monica Aksamit who get next to nothing from it all.