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Global Athlete, an organization that describes itself as a movement for athletes, by athletes, has released a study that supports the idea that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should fund athletes.

The study’s framework is supported by six conclusions around a union-like organization, the overarching premise is collective bargaining.

The review focusses on funding and investigated the IOC’s financial reports from 2013 to 2016.

The study states, “Athletes should be appropriately compensated for preparing for and attending the Olympic Games. Currently, the majority of athletes and their families financially subsidize years of training, travel and equipment to compete for a multi-billion-dollar industry of the Olympic Games.”

The 1.4 billion US dollars that the IOC brings in annually currently is directed to national Olympic committees, international federations, the Olympic Channel among others. Global Athlete feels that the distribution of funds should go directly to the athletes.

Rule 40 of the Olympic Charter states that an athlete cannot profit from competing in the Olympic Games. Global Athletes wants that rule removed.

Apparently, Global Athlete is suggesting that of the more than 200 national Olympic committees only 10 have relaxed the rule for their athletes.

Global Athlete indicates that professional sports leagues pay their athletes 40-60 per cent of their revenues directly.

The study was conducted in partnership with Ryerson University and the Ted Rogers School of Management, which are in Toronto, Ontario.