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The struggle for breaking records and jumping over the possibilities of the human nature multiple times is not the only battle which the athletes are fighting. Along with it recently they are taking part in another battle which requires a sports spirit just as strong - the struggle for receiving the money they have earned. As you already know in the international contests besides the glory and the recognition also brings the winners financial awards. However, it is a completely different question if the financial awards are given to the sponsors on time. As the Greek sports website www.sport.gr points out the “notorious” secret about the sports managers is the fact that Greece hasn’t paid yet the monetary prizes to the sports celebrities who took part in key sports events throughout the country. The website describes the situation as “out of control for two years now” and mentions even that the painful subject has been discussed by the manages of the athletes during the meeting regarding the up coming world championship in track and field athletics in Doha.

“Can anyone forget the mumbling of Bolt and his manager during the past grand prix in Thessaloniki?” – asks the article. Leo Bolt – three times Olympic medalist in sprint, world record holder in 100m and 200m, the first man after Carl Louis who has victories in three sprint disciplines and the first man to set a record in all three of them during his participation in the sports event in Thessaloniki still hadn’t received his money from Athens Grand Prix Tsiklitiria (from 2008). The fault, of course, is to a great extent in the sponsors who announce impressive amounts in order to be able to attract athletes who have a good name in the sport. Unfortunately later on it turns out that the payment of the amounts is not at all an easy job… The economic crisis which the government currently fights against makes it even harder to pay the bills, mentions the article.

The situation of the contests, in which take part Greek athletes, is not good at all. As the website claims in a resent contest the winners have even provided their bank account in order for the amounts to be paid on time. It also mentions some cases in which the athletes receive their money with a delay, however it turns out that the amounts are lower than expected. “Attention has to be paid to the international sports events in which are taking part also foreign athletes as the managers of the great names do not care about the crisis and want the money they have agreed on to be fully paid… In other case there is a risk that the country will discredit itself on an international level. There is also the probability to get to a boycott – something which has already happened in the history of the international sport” – underlines the website.