Bandit Run’s unsponsored plan gives Olympians the icing on the cake | Wilnesh News

A group of unsponsored athletes stood out at this year’s U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials, wearing all-black, unlogged gear.

The 35 athletes are supported by apparel company Bandit Running’s No sponsored projectsin an effort to challenge the standard sponsorship model for professional athletes and boost up-and-coming competitors.

Unsponsored track and field athletes often purchase their own apparel with major brand logos, effectively providing free advertising to the company. Instead, Bandit Running provides Olympians with all-black jerseys and warm-ups, as well as short-term endorsement deals.

Bandit co-founder Tim West said the company will offer at least 35 two-week offers to unsponsored runners during the trials, the pathway for U.S. Olympians to the quadrennial Games. The transactions included unbranded clothing, platforms and cash payments for fees. Last year, Bandit worked with nine athletes.

“We really want to have a new sponsorship model where brands can take a portion of their budget and apply it to amateur, sub-elite athletes to help grow the sport. I think when you look up , will hit the bottom.

West said Bandit’s deal has a built-in release clause that allows athletes with traditional sponsorships during the tryouts to easily exit.

West said unsponsored athletes are “investing in themselves” given the high costs associated with competing, which presents an opportunity for brands to step in and help.

And, all-black, logo-free jerseys help draw attention to which athletes can sign long-term deals.

Among them is 400-meter runner Courtney Okolo.

After winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and securing sponsorship Nike Okolo, 30, has been working on an unsponsored program for four years. She said it was difficult to gain support while competing without sponsorship, but Bandit’s initiative made her feel like she didn’t do it alone.

Okolo said even just attending the tournament is expensive, considering the cost of training, flying to Eugene, Ore., for tryouts, making hotel reservations and buying tournament apparel. Although she added that she has been able to pace herself with funds gained through previous sponsorships over four years, only a handful of athletes in the sport have such partnerships.

“I know it’s very difficult for a lot of athletes,” Okolo said. “They can still run well, but financially they can’t do that because training and all that takes up so much of your time. It’s hard to have another full-time career to support yourself financially and train and be The best athlete.

After graduating from college, 26-year-old Brandee Johnson has been working two jobs and a side job while training several hours a day to pursue her Olympic dream. Johnson is an unsponsored track and field athlete who qualified for this year’s Olympic trials.

Johnson said she joined the non-sponsored program as another way to achieve her goals while associating her name with something that has a positive impact on people’s lives.

“It made me feel more comfortable, take a deep breath and say, ‘OK, I can do this and I have what it takes to succeed,'” Johnson said.