Ahh, the glamorous life of an international athlete! The travel, the thrill of competition, the Wheaties Box.

The truth is that most of our Olympians, subsist at the poverty level or below. And, it’s one of the reasons that I believe we don’t have an even greater level of success when the Olympics roll around every four years.

I asked Eli Bremer, a competitor in the Olympic Pentathlon in Beijing about the reality and the business of sport. He recently calculated that it costs him about $210 per day to train; some covered by in-kind donations to the USOC and to his sport, some covered by sponsor monies, and some covered out of his own pocket. “It is a business. You have to make ends meet or you don’t compete! It’s that simple,” said Bremer.

What’s harder: training for your sport or making “ends meet?” “One of the biggest struggles that every athlete has is paying the bills. There’s no two ways about it, it’s expensive and we’re the only major Olympic committee in the world, that isn’t sponsored by the federal government. ”

Does it impact results?

“As far as the athletes competing today, No. In the sense that we lose a lot of athletes way too early, Yes.  A typical weightlifter might make $10,000 a year (as an athlete.) They could probably make $80-100,000 in a sales and marketing job on the outside if they leverage their Olympic skills.  At some point, “life” start calling.”

So why do it? Why put yourself through the sacrifice?

“The fact that I’ll never like my job as much as I do today. How many other people wake up in the morning and say, “I get to represent my country.”

There’s another part of Eli’s story that is fascinating. His uncle “Jerry”  is known publicly as Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, the man who oversaw reconstruction of Iraq from 2003-2004. You can tell from reading Eli’s blog (http://elibremer.com/travels_journal.htm) that he’s a huge fan or his uncle and visa-versa. Here are a couple of excerpts:

In reality, my uncle’s story and my Olympic pursuit have been linked for years. His work has given me a much stronger understanding of the roll the Olympics play in world affairs and in bringing pride to a nation.

I was one of only two US athletes to make the final at the 2003 World Championships in Italy. It was 115 degrees there and scorching. In Baghdad, 115 would have felt like winter in July. I was lucky enough to return home after my bout with the heat, while Jerry stayed in Iraq and wore a suit and tie every day in the sweltering heat to show an example of professionalism to the new Iraqi leaders.

One day during the winter of 2003-2004, I received a call from Jerry in Baghdad. He asked if I was still doing most of my training at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs. He told me he was sending out a judo and wrestling team to train at the OTC and asked that I introduce myself and make them feel welcome. Weeks later, the small Iraqi team arrived at the OTC to prepare for the Olympics with the US Team. At the time, the US media was reporting that Iraqis were increasingly opposed to US led occupation and that anti-American sentiment was growing.

I was unsure how the Iraqi team would view me, the nephew of the public face of US led occupation.  However, when the Iraqi team found out I was Jerry’s nephew, I was nearly dog-piled. I had grown men kissing me and nearly in tears. In a very emotional discourse of broken English, the Iraqis told me that Uday had tortured them and threatened them, but Jerry had given them hope and pride.

For me, I get that “sense of hope and pride” from the spirit and dedication of each and every Olympian, not matter what position they occupy on a podium.

To follow Eli Bremer’s Olympic Journey, go to his website and read his blog about his experiences.

 

 Eli Bremer, US Olympic Pentathlete Part 2 [15:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup