Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

BIRMINGHAM, England:
American quarter-miler Sanya Richards-Ross has started a social media campaign against non-payment of athletes at the Olympic Games, blasting organisers for ignoring the financial plight of the majority of track and field athletes across the world.



Richards-Ross, who won gold in the 400m at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin in 2009, a year after taking the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games, posted on popular social media platform twitter: "With $6 billion exchanging hands during the Olympics, why do athletes compete for free?!"

The tweet has caused a flood of discussion on the topic with individuals expressing differing views on the subject. 

"Speaking up on this issue is so worth it when my teammates come up to me and tell me their stories and how much it means to them," Richards later tweeted.

"Just because you don't see their faces and hear their stories doesn't mean they don't exist! This is their livelihood."

Richards also advocated for sponsors' logos to be allowed on jerseys.

"Track athletes should be allowed to don multiple logos on our uniform. I'd love to show my other great sponsors love. I am one of the very fortunate athletes that work with wonderful sponsors during the Olympic year," she added. 

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