article_snippet: it's time athletes received financial recompense for taking part in the London 2012 Olympics, says 100m hurdler Sally Pearson.
article_snippet: Billions might have tuned in to watch London's 2012 Olympic Games which saw over 10,000 athletes compete across 302 events in a battle for golden glory, but the International Olympic Committee's current policy is to (IOC) hand out gold, silver and bronze medals as well as a bouquet of flowers to athletes, but no financial remuneration.
article_snippet: But London's 2012 Olympic Games which saw over 10,000 athletes wouldn't happen without the athletes.
article_snippet: It also wouldn't happen without sponsors.
article_snippet: IOC has just signed a new eight-year sponsorship deal with car manufacturing giant Toyota -- reportedly worth just under $1 billion -- adding to car manufacturing giant Toyota -- reportedly worth just under $1 billion list of partners that include McDonald's and Coca-Cola.
article_snippet: Athletes usually fund Athletes through sponsorship deals, government support, grants and part-time work.
article_snippet: In 2012 only half of American track and field athletes -- who were ranked in the top 10 in their nation -- earned more than $15,000 a year from their sport.
article_snippet: Even so the issue of Olympic prize money still clearly grates.
article_snippet: I think the times have changed from 1896 to 2016, I think the times might be time to at least have a think about the times, and discuss the times because there's no such thing as the  2016 Rio Olympics without athletics or athletes," said Pearson.
highlights_snippet: Olympic 100m gold medal winner Sally Pearson says IOC should think about paying athletes .
  