Dire financial straits are leading droves of Olympic athletes to sell images of their bodies to subscribers on OnlyFans — known for sexually explicit content — to sustain their dreams of gold at the Games.

Dire financial straits are leading droves of Olympic athletes to sell images of their bodies to subscribers on OnlyFans — known for sexually explicit content — to sustain their dreams of gold at the Games. As they struggle to make ends meet, a spotlight is being cast on an Olympics funding system that watchdog groups condemn as “broken,” claiming most athletes “can barely pay their rent.”

The Olympics, the world’s biggest sporting stage, bring in billions of dollars in TV rights, ticket sales and sponsorship, but most athletes must fend for themselves financially.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not express concern about the situation. When asked by The Associated Press about athletes turning to OnlyFans, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said, “I would assume that athletes, like all citizens, are allowed to do what they can.”

Watching his sponsorships dry up and facing mounting costs, Jack Laugher was among the pantheon of Olympic athletes using the often-controversial platform to get to the Games — or simply survive.

  • yamanii@lemmy.world
    111·
    3 months ago

    People are upset that professional athletes at the world stage, the best of the best, that bring glory and medals to their countries are left to fend for themselves between events.

    • Tja@programming.dev
      51·
      3 months ago

      I’m even more upset that the best teacher or the best social worker doesn’t get any recognition at all.

      A dude/dudette skateboarding, jumping or shooting with a bow doesn’t bring me any value, entertainment or otherwise. If they can’t find a sponsor, tough luck.