BIG namers? wrote:
If you had a choice of feeding your family for the rest of their lives or winning the gold medal. Keep in mind that as many as 30% of your family will die from starvation or malnutrition if you choose the Gold Medal. These are the decisions that a 2:06 marathoner living in a 3rd world country has to make.
The $$ involved in winning the OG marathon are greater than any individual race, except perhaps Paula's WR. Sure you lose out on cash for that one race, but you can expect big appearance fees for every marathon and road race you run for quite some time. You will get a bigger shoe contract bonus than for any other race. Your country may very well pay you as well.