Alexis Ohanian steps in to aid struggling Olympian
Veronica Fraley, an American Olympian specializing in hammer throw, posted on X that although she competes in the Paris Games, she cannot afford to pay her rent. The 24-year-old's words did not go unnoticed by Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian. He rushed to help her.
Although the International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not award monetary prizes for medals won, some of the best athletes can count on financial support from governments and private sponsors. According to CBS News, this support can take various forms - from cash to real estate.
However, sustaining themselves with training and daily life is a significant challenge for many athletes. An example is Veronica Fraley, an American discus thrower, who had to publicly express her financial need on the social media platform X.
One of those who responded to her plea was the legendary rapper Flavor Fav, promising immediate financial help.
"DM me and I'll send payment TODAY so you don't have to worry bout it TOMORROW and imma be rooting for ya tomorrow LETZ GO,!!!!" wrote Flavor Flav on the platform X.
Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, also joined the action. In a short time, Ohanian confirmed a payment of $10,500 CAD.
The Olympian had no money for rent. She was supported by Serena Williams' husband
The disparity in the amounts awarded for Olympic medals in different countries also evidences Olympians' challenging financial situation. For instance, in the United States, a gold medalist may receive a bonus of $50,500 CAD, significantly lower than the $993,000 CAD offered by Singapore for gold.
Who is Alexis Ohanian?
Alexis Ohanian cannot complain about his lack of finances. He is the co-founder of Reddit, one of the most popular social media platforms, and has also invested in large internet companies.
His relationship with Serena Williams became public in 2015, and the couple engaged the following year. In 2017, they welcomed their daughter Alexis Olympia, and later that year, they got married.
