Heath Thorpe reveals whether he earns money as a gymnast & his answer may surprise you…
A post shared by Heath Thorpe (@heaththorpe)Heath Thorpe may be a decorated gymnast, but that doesn’t mean gymnastics is his full-time job.
The Aussie answered questions recently on Instagram Live about his standing and future in the sport. Though Thorpe competes in events around the world, he doesn’t earn a living from wowing audiences on the mat.
In fact, few gymnasts do. “The gag is, gymnastics is not my job,” he revealed. “I earn all my income essentially from social media, such as brand deals, sponsorships or any other opportunities that arise from it.”Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.That answer may be surprising, considering Thorpe trains for the bulk of the year.
But like the majority of individual athletes, Thorpe doesn’t receive a living wage from his sport’s national federation. Olympic athletes and aspiring Olympians alike are chronically underfunded, with many Olympians earning less than $25,000 annually from their sport.
