Struggling American Athletes and Families Turn to GoFundMe for Paris Olympics Journey

PARIS, France — Crowdfunding has become a significant source of financial support for athletes preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. GoFundMe reported that more than $2 million was raised globally in the lead-up to the Games.

Among the athletes benefiting from this trend is American discus thrower Veronica Fraley. She garnered over $23,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, notably attracting attention from entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian and rapper Flavor Flav. This support came after she revealed on social media that she was struggling to pay rent.

Badminton player Jennie Gai also turned to crowdfunding, raising nearly $22,000 to help her prepare for the mixed doubles event. “This absolutely wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s support,” Gai acknowledged on her GoFundMe page. The funds have alleviated her financial burden, allowing her full focus on training and tournaments.

American table tennis player Kanak Jha secured more than $30,000 through GoFundMe to cover expenses for training, travel, accommodation, and hiring a private coach. “Everything given there was spent solely on the preparation for here,” said Jha, who often trains in Germany due to financial constraints in the U.S.

International athletes have also turned to crowdfunding. Sixteen-year-old Australian break dancer Jeff Dunne raised over $20,000, while Tonga’s first female Olympic boxer, Feofaaki Epenisa, received more than $10,000 in preparation for the Games.

Former U.S. hurdler Lashinda Demus, who was retroactively awarded a gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics, raised $21,700 to enable her family to join her in Paris for the medal ceremony. “Your kindness has turned a personal achievement into a family celebration,” Demus shared on her GoFundMe page.

Other family support campaigns included U.S. hurdler Freddie Crittenden’s parents, who raised over $20,000 for their trip to Paris. American wrestler Aaron Brooks’s family raised $6,000, while the parents of U.S. swimmer Hunter Armstrong, who won silver in the 4×100-meter men’s relay, gathered a similar amount.

One notable campaign struggled to meet its goal. Tiffany Martin, the aunt of American swimmer Keaton Jones, who finished fifth in the 200-meter backstroke, managed to raise only $520 ahead of the Games. Her GoFundMe page highlighted the financial challenges faced by families supporting athletes competing at the highest level.