Question about olympic athletes?

Question

I will just go straight into an example - the US gymnast Shawn Johnson, she is 16 and won a gold medal, I am assuming she is still in high school. The announcers said that her parents mortgaged their home more than once to keep Shawn in the gym.

Now that she won a gold medal....does she get any money other than in endorsements??? and what kind of endorsements can a 16 year old gymnast get??

Answer 1

That's a good question.  For some olympic events athletes have to maintain amateur status in order to compete.  For example if you figure skate professionally--which means you get paid in any form for skating--then you cannot compete in olympic figure skating.  I believe gymnasts in the olympics have to be amateurs as well which would mean they cannot receive any money for gymnastics if they want to compete in the next olympics.

Answer 2

She is already getting endorsements, (Addias, GK, Coca cola, McDonalds, etc.). She's been on cereal boxes in Iowa, and soda boxes. I'm pretty sure that those companies will give here more money and probably more ads.  

Answer 3

well it's basically like a company will give you an article of clothing to wear, and if you place, you will get a certain amount of money/sponsorship. now if you place more than a few times, like phelps, you will get on tv commercials, tours, more sponsors, and more money.

Answer 4

she'll get endorsements. all sorts of things that olympic gold-medal gymnasts get. cereal boxes, leotard adds, same sort of things that you saw carly patterson on. she'll probably be sharing it all with nastia. oh, i can see it now... "gk leotards, worn by olympians shawn johnson and nastia liukin!"

Answer 5

I'm hoping she can get endorsments.

Shoe endorsments, cereal boxes..

All her parents hopes & dreams was that girl.

Such pride they must feel now!!

Answer 6

I think in the USA they actually get paid cash from the Government for gold medals.  She will get lots of endorsements as they will use her gold medal win to advertise products etc.  She is most likely to get lots of sporting clothes, shoes, etc from sproting companies.  She shoud also get to do advertisements etc most likely for things that are aimed at her age group.  Eg makeup, mobile phones etc