One of the most notable events of 2024, watched globally, was the Olympic Games in Paris. Nations competed for medals across a variety of sports, showing us that the number of medals achieved is not solely dependent on the size of a country or its sheer population. This prompts the question: what truly contributes to an athlete’s success on the world stage?
In the recent Olympics, we witnessed athletes' dedication and sacrifices in training and representing their countries. However, it is undeniable that their remarkable achievements did not stem from personal efforts alone; there is an unseen support system playing a vital role in their success.
Aspiring to be an Olympic athlete is a high-risk goal, with global competition making the odds challenging. The extent to which people in a country are willing to take that risk depends on the support systems in place to care for those who fail to reach the pinnacle.
Indeed, athletes from each country receive varying levels of support. Many of the nations with a high medal count, such as Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea, tend to have strong support systems from both the public and private sectors. Athletes from these countries, therefore, can fully dedicate themselves to training and competition without concerns over financial stability or livelihood. In contrast, athletes from other countries, including Thailand, face a more difficult journey. While success may bring rewarding prizes, the path to that success is challenging, and it can be hard to recover in cases of failure.
Supporting people in following their dreams is a core mission of the Matilda Foundation. We discussed this in 2022 in the article “Are We being Held Down by our Limitations?” (Read more here), which explored overcoming personal limitations. This article builds on that theme by focusing on limitations stemming from external structures, where involvement from both government and private sectors could help reduce these barriers and open pathways for people to follow their dreams more freely.
Challenges for Thai Athletes in Pursuing Their Dreams
Currently, Thailand’s national athletes do not receive a regular income from the government. They are instead given a daily allowance of 900 baht during training towards any specific competiton. If the relevant sports organisation can secure additional funding, this allowance may increase. However, this possible increase largely depends on the sport or the athlete’s personal popularity. Successful athletes are indeed rewarded with financial incentives, such as 10-12 million baht for an Olympic gold medal, 6-7 million baht for silver, and around 4 million baht for bronze. However, this support is mostly limited to elite athletes or those on national teams, leaving others to rely on themselves.
Beyond financial matters, Thai athletes face several risks, such as health and medical care. While the 30-baht gold card scheme provides some support, it may not cover the costs of complex injuries requiring specialised physical rehabilitation, nor the mental health issues arising from training stress. Additionally, there is limited welfare for athletes post-retirement, a lack of standard training equipment, and few opportunities for education or skill development, forcing many athletes to choose between study and training, hindering their long-term personal growth.
Pursuing a full-time athletic career in Thailand is therefore a high-risk challenge. Apart from rigorous training and competition, Thai athletes lack sufficient support, forcing many to seek additional work or sponsors to sustain themselves and their families.
Advantages of Countries with Strong Support Systems
Countries with well-established support systems, like Germany, provide athletes with security and reduce risks. Examples include:
Health Insurance: This covers specialised medical care for sports injuries, allowing athletes to focus on recovery without financial worries.
Unemployment and Pension Schemes: Since a sports career can only be pursued during peak physical years, unemployment and retirement benefits help athletes transition to financial stability after their sports careers end. Thus, allowing them to fully dedicate to competitions.
Dual Career Support: This system allows athletes to balance education and training through flexible study schedules in collaboration with universities. In Germany, athletes can also apply for Deutsche Sporthilfe scholarships, alleviating concerns about academic qualifications and other skills needed for future employment.
Building “Security” and “Reducing Risks” through Support
Effective support from both the public and private sectors can provide athletes with stability.
A robust support system can create a sense of “security,” enabling athletes to dedicate themselves to training and self-improvement without concerns about their livelihoods. This increases their competitiveness, and they need not fear unemployment post-retirement. Without comprehensive support, athletes face uncertainty, often diverting time to other jobs for financial stability or abandoning their sports dreams for more secure careers.
Adequate support not only benefits current athletes but also sends a message to future generations that “their dreams are possible” and “they can follow their passions without worrying about future uncertainties.” A safe environment with a strong support system allows athletes and others with aspirations to develop their full potential.
The Matilda Foundation also hopes to play a small role in helping Thai people reach their fullest potential through programmes like Break Your Boundary (BYB), an interest-free loan initiative for studying abroad, which encourages dreamers from all fields to take risks without financial constraints. Additionally, the foundation supports Baan Huay Phan Learning Center, an alternative school that empowers children to think independently and chart their own paths. Through these efforts, the Foundation aims to be part of a support system that gives Thais greater confidence in pursuing their dreams.
References
5. Dual Career https://en.spitzensport-stipendium.de/duale-karriere
6. Scholarships https://en.spitzensport-stipendium.de/about
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