The men who chase the decathlon crown and the women who contest the heptathlon still carry a ceremonial label: “world’s greatest athlete.” Yet for all the mythology attached to that title, the compensation for track stars remains starkly out of proportion. At the recent U.S. Olympic Trials in 20244, Zach Ziemek ran unattached, without a sponsor, despite being a two-time Olympian and World Championship medalist. He collapsed at the finish of his 1500 meters, spent from the effort, but there was no brand logo stitched across his chest. “It was confirmation of what a long term investment in a guy is,” his coach said, but the financial system in place has invested very little.

The gap between glory and livelihood is not new. American Olympians have always wrestled with money. Many

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