I also think that the rewards for success are much more concentrated at the top for professional sports versus other fields. there is a wide spectrum of talent

I also think that the rewards for success are much more concentrated at the top for professional sports versus other fields. there is a wide spectrum of talent in professional domains, and a wide spectrum of jobs such that even mediocre talent can often get reasonably good jobs. And in many fields, you have decades to build your career and many ways to succeed (versus a short physical prime and one very narrowly defined way to succeed: winning an Olympic medal) I think most elite athletes training for and even competing in the olympics can't sustain themselves financially with their sport. As they get closer to the top they probably get more financial support / prestige, but if you aren't on the medal stand I'm sure much of that comes to a screeching halt