Jackie left the Olympics elated. But it cost six figures and three concussions

Sydney Morning Herald

by Nick Wright

February 24, 2026

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Jackie left the Olympics elated. But it cost six figures and three concussions

Jackie Narracott, Australia’s first silver medalist in skeleton at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, shared her harrowing journey to Olympic success, which was marked by financial struggles and health challenges. Despite achieving a historic podium finish, Narracott revealed that her four-year preparation for the Games cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, often funded through part-time jobs like retail work and even as a Qantas valet driver. She endured three concussions during the cycle, with the last one taking six months to recover from due to the compounded stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Narracott retired in 2024, citing the constant battle for funding, sponsorship, and training time as too overwhelming. Narracott’s story highlights the lesser-known financial burden faced by elite athletes. While she earned a silver medal, her personal expenses were often covered by family loans and credit cards, leaving little room for savings or leisure. She worked tirelessly to balance training with part-time jobs, sometimes traveling across continents to train while juggling multiple roles. Her experiences align with those of other athletes like Nat Cook, a Sydney 2000 gold medalist, who noted that nearly half of Olympic hopefuls in Australia live below the poverty line and often consider quitting due to financial strain. Despite these challenges, Narracott emphasizes the importance of leveraging Olympic success for future opportunities. She urged athletes to capitalize on their newfound fame by securing endorsements and sponsorships immediately after returning home. She also pointed out that while government funding has increased—$37.5 million for Winter Olympics programs since Beijing 2022—the financial reality remains tough, with many athletes still struggling to make ends meet. Narracott

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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/24/2026