Aussie swimming legend Leisel Jones tells aspiring Olympians to give up on their dreams before they are left broke
Swimming icon Leisel Jones has unleashed on International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry, after she claimed Olympic athletes shouldn’t be paid.
The 40-year-old has since told athletes not to both with attempting to pursue their Olympics dreams as a result.
Her comments come after Coventry stated athletes shouldn’t be paid and the IOC should be allowed to freely trade off their stocks.
‘They get beautiful venues. They get beautiful villages. They get a beautiful experience. And all of that comes from the money that we raise,’ she said.
But Jones has now slammed the IOC president, urging athletes to just not bother with trying to qualify for Olympics competitions.
‘I would actually say to people the glory is not worth it,’ Jones told Triple M.
Leisel Jones (pictured) has slammed the IOC president for recent comments she made
Jones (pictured) has suggested Olympic hopefuls should just give up their dreams altogether
‘Because now the bills are so expensive I would say the Olympic Games are not worth pursuing if you’re not going to pay (athletes),’ Jones added.
‘(It is) an outrageous comment because I thought, surely that’s taken out of context.
‘I don’t have children myself but I would highly encourage not to go to the Olympic Games because life is expensive.
Jones, a three-time Olympics gold medalist has also revealed the harsh realities some prospective competitors face.
She’s also disclosed the perilous situation former beach volleyballer Natalie Cook has found herself navigating.
‘0.01% (of athletes) make it,’ Jones said.
‘You will be in debt for a long time.
‘Nat Cook said she was nearly $350,000 in debt after winning in Sydney.’
Jones has claimed volleyballer Natalie Cook (pictured) struggled financially – despite winning a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics
Cook (pictured) is one of a select group of Aussies to win a gold medal on home soil
Jones’ response to Coventry comes just days after the controversial Enhanced Games gained widespread traction.
The event has drawn the ire of millions of sports fans across the globe, with Jones taking aim.
‘We thought this is great, what a terrible time to come out and say not to pay our Olympic athletes when the Enhanced Games have just been on,’ she said.
‘We’ve seen athletes now jump from Olympic sports because glory doesn’t pay the bills funnily enough.’
