Five-time Olympian’s warning as staggering elite athlete stat revealed

A five-time Olympian says she fears talented athletes will be forced to give up on their dreams because they’re living below the poverty line.

New Australian Sports Foundation research reveals a staggering 46 per cent of elite athletes aged 18 or older are earning less than $23,000 per annum.

Five-time Olympian volleyball player, Natalie Cook, says she spent years selling pies to raise money to travel to compete, and nothing has changed.

Press PLAY below to hear Natalie Cook’s experience + why she’s concerned 

“I’m so passionate about not having athletes have to finish five Olympic games like I did, $300,000 in debt with a mortgage against my dad’s house,” she told Neil Mitchell.

Cook is calling for direct government athlete support to be doubled, and warned many Olympians will quit their chosen sport, or swap to a more lucrative sport, if that doesn’t happen.

Image: Albert Perez/Getty Images for the AOC