Upset Over $50,000, Tara Davis-Woodhall’s Husband Reveals Worse Reality of Track & Field Paralympians

Track and field is that sport that gets a ton of attention during the Olympic Games, but all the fame vanishes the moment the events end. Surely, it has been a concern for a long time in the sport, as it has affected not only the athletes but also the fans, who have been on a decline for a long time. The sports need an overhaul, and many athletes have raised their voices regarding many issues, especially Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband, Hunter Woodhall.

The couple was in the spotlight after the Paris Olympics, and they used that opportunity to address a ton of issues in the sport. However, while that short-term fame has faded away since it’s been months after the event, they have now addressed another major problem in track and field, which has been not only an issue for them but for most of the athletes out there, especially the Paralympians.

Voicing out the major issue in the sport

Track and field has a very niche audience and is completely not like the popular leagues like the NFL, NBA, UFC, WWE, and others. Despite having a specific fan base, track and field events have gained significant recognition in recent years due to various factors such as major sponsorships and prime-time broadcasting. Despite all the changes, the financial aspect hasn’t significantly improved, leading athletes to feel underpaid even after successful track and field meets.

These issues do stand out, but there’s also a huge difference between the sports divisions as well. Tara Davis-Woodhall’s husband, Hunter, is a Paralympian, and she is a long jumper, and both of their divisions make way less than what their peers do in other popular categories like track. In an interview with GQ, the Paralympic champion opened up on these issues, stating, “For us specifically, a long jumper and a Paralympian, there’s no money.” Immediately to back up her husband’s statement, Tara added, stating, “Teacher salaries.”

The way the couple has voiced the problems showcased the urgency of this courtesy call, which can be taken up only by the sports officials. These athletes have dedicated their entire lives to excelling in their respective fields and have even garnered recognition on international platforms, where they have represented the United States. So, they do deserve what they demand, especially a good paycheck, owing to a successful track and field campaign. Furthermore, Hunter pointed out that an athlete can earn a $37,500 bonus from the USA’s Olympic governing body and also another $50,000 from the World Athletic Olympic Committee.

However, the $50,000 wasn’t something that Tara’s husband received due to him being a Paralympian. There are already a lot of problems in track and field, and differentiating Olympians and Paralympians is a step that deters the sport even more. “I didn’t get the $50,000, because the Paralympics doesn’t pay that. So I made thirty-seven-five. That’s it,” said a disappointed Hunter Woodhall. Despite their love for the sport they compete in, the two can’t overlook the underlying issues that require immediate resolution. Another event caught the couple’s attention and prompted them to react immediately, as it was also a crucial moment for them to spread awareness.

Tara Davis-Woodhall’s husband’s demand, using Noah Lyles as an example

Recently, Noah Lyles made headlines the moment he raced YouTuber IShowSpeed in a charity run hosted by Mr. Beast. The 50m dash was a close one, but the Olympian took home $100,000 and donated it to the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation. The race caught a lot of attention out there, and fans are now excited to see more such charity runs once in a while, especially during the off-season when there’s no action coming from official events.

The $100,000 that Lyles earned in a single 50m dash was something that was immediately observed by Hunter Woodhall and his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall. The Paralympian then stressed the fact, stating, “Noah Lyles and Speed raced for $100,000. To put it in perspective, Noah Lyles made more on this than he made winning the Indoor World Championships… 30 grand, Outdoor World Championships, 50 grand, and even the Olympic Games, which he only made 50 grand. With Team USA, he made 87.5.” 

Now, that’s a surprising yet concerning fact, as all the money that these athletes are making in mostly a whole season was just given away by a YouTuber in a single charity event. The couple also wanted to be a part of such unofficial races, stating, “He got more for 50 meter race on social media than winning the Olympic Games. Speed, come race me. Come race me.” The call for events like this highlights the financial issues facing the sport, leading to a significant number of unhappy and underpaid athletes.