Trust me when I say this, I do not idolize the Olympics, in fact I hate everything about sports in general. I'm looking at this purely as an outsider, and what should be a reasonable compensation for any line of work. Yes, this IS a job for these people.
That's fine that you didn't even attempt to pursue your dreams, but these people ARE the top .001% who made it, and they still DO NOT make a decent living at it. That's the point.
The fact is: roaches get baited, mouses get trapped. Try not to be a cockroach is what jerf is saying. Follow your dreams are fine but dont be a cockroach for someone else's Olympic bug park. Unfortunately these kids are their own worst enemies. Like you mentioned, no union, no bargaining. Just a lot of expendable roaches that are unfortunately ruining it for eachother and competing in sports games with eachother, ironic.
That's fine that you didn't even attempt to pursue your dreams, but these people ARE the top .001% who made it, and they still DO NOT make a decent living at it. That's the point.