In a candid conversation on the Overdogs podcast, Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson pulled back the curtain on the financial realities faced by even the most successful Olympic athletes in the United States.
Steveson, who captured gold at the Tokyo Olympics, shared details about the compensation structure for Olympic champions that may surprise many sports fans.
“You get like an Olympic bonus which is…I mean I could probably stand it, it’s $250,000 tax-free because they made a living the dream fund for everybody,” Steveson explained during the podcast appearance.
However, the gold medalist went on to reveal that after the one-time Olympic bonus, the ongoing financial support drops dramatically.
“But then you go back to the monthly stipend and it’s not much,” Steveson continued. “If I said the number, you would be like, ‘for an Olympic champ, is crazy.'”
When pressed for the specific amount, Steveson disclosed that his monthly stipend as an Olympic champion was just $1,200 from USA Wrestling.
“That’s lower than I thought,” responded the podcast host.
“I was the Olympic champion, $1,200 a month from USA Wrestling,” Steveson reiterated, highlighting the stark contrast between public perception of Olympic fame and the financial reality.
The wrestling star expressed gratitude for his opportunities while acknowledging the modest compensation. “It’s $1,200 a month, and some people don’t make $1,200 a month, so you’re eating at a taco truck at $1,200.”
Steveson added, “I’m grateful for everything I’ve done. I’ve seen the world, and I’ve met many people, but $1,200 is crazy. $1,200 is crazy in the U.S.”
His comments shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by even the most decorated Olympic athletes in maintaining financial stability between Olympic Games, especially in sports that don’t receive mainstream attention outside the Olympic cycle.
The revelation comes amid growing conversations about athlete compensation across various sports, with Olympic athletes often relying on sponsorships, endorsements, and other income sources to supplement the limited financial support provided by national governing bodies.
