A study conducted by the Danish Athletes’ Committee shows that 68 percent of Denmark’s elite athletes earn no more than 5,000 kroner a month from sports-related income.

Many Danish elite athletes have higher expenses than income and risk leaving their sport early

Rasmus Lund has, among other achievements, won World Championship gold and Olympic silver, and early in his career as a promising cyclist he relied on support from his parents. Foto: Jens Dresling

For most Danish elite athletes, medals at the World Championships, European Championships, or the Olympics are a powerful motivator. But reaching the biggest results takes more than hard work in the training room. It also takes money to cover, among other things, equipment, training camps, and travel. Yet many Danish athletes struggle to make ends meet, according to a survey conducted by the Danish Athletes’ Committee.

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Many Danish elite athletes have higher expenses than income and risk leaving their sport early

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