In the Former Eastern Bloc countries, Middle East, Asia, etc.... being a high level Olympic Weightlifter is a moneyed, and respected position. Here it's usually a curiosity, that gets a pat on the back, and maybe a extra few hundred a month stipend at the highest levels.
This is completely untrue.Since I know personally and very well most of our european,world and olympic weightlifting champions from the 70's,80's,90's I can tell you the following:
1.They get no money,just some small stipend every month,because everything is/was covered by the state.
2.When you are on the national team you live and train in our capital city where the main bases are.
3.You workout 3 times a day 363 days in a year and this time includes training,going to competition,training camps at home and abroad.The days off were 12/31 - 1/1, then go back to training.
4.You are property of the government basically.
5.Social status - yes but doesn't do anything for you except people praising you - doesn't bring any benefits.
6.When get a medal from the above mentioned competitions you get one time small lump sum and a small apartment or a russian car/Volga in most cases/ depending on the medal and the competition.
7.Your career starts usually when you are 12-13 years old and is finished before you are 30.
8.Your body is completely torn and broken already for the rest of your life.
9.End of your career means you become a coach/you already have the diploma without even stepping in school/ and your days consist of boring hours at the gym without even coaching the new generation and impatiently waiting for the end of the day when you go to your favorite restaurant and start drinking and eating with your team buddies till late night.This is repeating every day.
10.Like in pro bodybuilding 90% of them are completely broke and in poor health and some are no longer between us anymore.
P.S. I am talking about Bulgaria.
