The Curse of the Athletes

Just because professional athletes pocket millions of dollars annually does not make them wiser than the average amateur when it comes to managing their assets.

As young multimillionaires adored by hordes of people and having the opportunity to travel regularly to the four corners of the continent, athletes are even at high risk of being squandered and left penniless.

There is no shortage of examples. Consumption problems, gambling problems, costly divorces or extravagant lifestyles, several dangers lurk for the millionaires of sport. In no time, they can lose tens of millions.

Think of boxer Mike Tyson, passing catcher Terrell Owens, baseball players Pete Rose and Jose Canseco, or basketball player Charles Barkley. The latter estimates to have lost no less than 10 million by betting alone.

The gambling obsession was also costly for Pete Rose. Even the great Michael Jordan has been grappling with severe gambling problems. Had it not been for his contract with Nike and the success of his shoes, who knows what would have happened to Jordan.

Famous Runners

There are many disciplines related to running. In the course of history, some have distinguished themselves and made history. Find out who they are through this ranking of the best riders of all time.

Haile Gebreselassie

The greatest legend of the discipline is him: Haile Gebreselassie. Throughout his long career, this Ethiopian-born runner has achieved more than 27 World records in several long-distance disciplines and won two Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2000. His last record was in the Berlin marathon, which he finished in 2h03: 43.

Emil Zatopek

Designated by many as the most excellent runner of all time Emil Zatopek was a Czech runner who had marked the history of the sport in the 1950s and especially in 1952 when he won three gold medals (5000m, 10000m, marathon) at the Olympics. He is also known to have competed in more than 69 long distance races from 1949 to 1951 Without Losing a single one.

Paula Radcliffe

The current marathon world record holder (2:15:25), British runner-up Paula Radcliffe has won 8 of the world’s biggest marathons, including New York, Chicago, and London. Passionate about running since childhood, she is undoubtedly the greatest athlete in the discipline of all time.

Meb Keflezighi

The first American athlete to win the Boston Marathon since 1986 (1st place in 2013) and The New York Marathon (1st place in 2009), Meb Keflezighi has established himself as a reference of the discipline in recent years and is considered one of the most serious competitors for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

He is also one of the Masters of the discipline of 10,000, 5,000 meters and cross-country.

Hicham El Guerrouj

Moroccan athlete Hicham El Guerrouj is also one of the greatest athletes in the discipline. The current record-holder of the 1500 and 2500 meters has been one of the most consistent riders on the circuit, breaking very regularly the records and performances that he had previously established.

Usain Bolt

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt is undoubtedly one of the most impressive athletes in the history of running. The numbers speak for themselves:

• 11 gold and two silver medals at the 100m and 200m World Championships
• 6 Olympic gold medals
• Currently holds three World records: 100 m (9.58), 200 m (19.19) and 4 × 100 m relay (36.84).
• Broke eight senior World records (3 out of 100m, 2 out of 200m and 3 out of 4 × 100m)

Much awaited, he will try to prove that he is still the fastest man in the world at the Rio Olympics this summer.