Everything Odd About the Olympics
Let's get odd
Hi Oddies,
My eyes are glued to the TV right now watching the winter Olympics. Seriously. As I’m writing this…this just happened:
I love the Olympics not just for the optics or the athletes doing things my body could neeeeverrr but because there are so many odd things about it. Odd jobs, odd ways athletes make money, and odd ways you can make money too.
Sharing all that below!
Ps. If you want to stay up-to-date on my everything, I spend a lot of time here!
AND! My bestie and I built a new social media platform and we’re looking for beta testers/people who want to give it a whirl. If you’re interested, hit reply and I’ll share the details. It’s a lot of fun!
The Behind-the-Scenes Odd Jobs That Keep the Games Running
1. Ice Resurfacer Operator (The Zamboni Driver)
You know that satisfying moment between periods when the Zamboni glides across the ice, leaving a pristine surface behind?
That’s not just anyone driving that machine.
Ice resurfacer operators at the Olympics are highly skilled professionals who understand ice temperature, blade depth, and water distribution down to a science. One wrong move and you’ve got bumpy ice that could cost an athlete a medal.
The pay? Around $15-$25/hour during the games, but the pressure? Priceless.
Fun fact: There are usually backup drivers on standby because the timing has to be PERFECT. You can’t keep millions of viewers (and impatient athletes) waiting.
2. Snow Quality Specialist
This might be the oddest odd job on the list.
Snow quality specialists literally test snow conditions all day long. They measure moisture content, temperature, density, and crystal structure to make sure the snow is just right for each event.
Downhill skiing needs different snow than cross-country. Snowboarding needs different conditions than ski jumping.
These specialists often have backgrounds in meteorology or materials science and earn anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000+ for a season, depending on experience.
One snow specialist told ESPN in 2022: “I basically play in snow all day and get paid for it. Except when I mess up, the entire world knows.”
3. Curling Stone Technician
Here’s something I bet you never thought about: someone has to prepare and maintain those 44-pound curling stones.
Curling stone technicians clean, inspect, and ensure each stone meets exact specifications. They check for chips, cracks, and wear. They even measure the running surface to make sure it’s perfectly smooth.
There are only about 20-30 people in the world who do this at an elite level.
The running edge of a curling stone? It’s only about 5mm wide. That’s the difference between a gold medal and going home empty-handed.
4. Ice Crew (The Snow Shovelers)
During outdoor events like hockey, snow builds up FAST.
Enter the ice crew - teams of people armed with shovels who rush onto the ice during breaks to clear snow off the surface. They’ve got maybe 90 seconds to get the job done before play resumes.
It’s physically demanding, cold, and requires you to work in perfect coordination with your team.
Pay is usually minimum wage to $18/hour, but you get to say you worked at the Olympics and you’re on TV every time the camera pans across the ice.
“We’re basically professional snow shovelers,” one crew member joked in a 2018 interview, “but we’re Olympic professional snow shovelers.”
5. Ski Jump Landing Zone Attendant
Someone has to stand at the bottom of that terrifying ski jump and make sure the landing area is safe.
These attendants rake and maintain the snow in the landing zone, check for debris, and literally stand there in freezing temperatures all day making sure conditions are safe for athletes flying through the air at 60+ mph.
They also have to be ready to respond immediately if an athlete crashes or needs medical attention.
Talk about pressure.
6. Skate Sharpener
Olympic figure skaters and speed skaters are incredibly particular about their blades.
Skate sharpeners at the Olympics are craftspeople who’ve spent years perfecting their technique. They understand the exact hollow, radius, and edge each athlete needs.
Some skaters bring their own personal sharpeners to the Olympics. Others rely on the official team - but either way, these specialists can earn $50-$100+ per sharpening, and during the Olympics, they’re working non-stop.
One small mistake? An athlete could lose their edge (literally) during a crucial moment.
7. Bobsled Track Ice Sprayer
The bobsled and luge tracks have to be maintained constantly, and that means spraying them down with a fine mist of water to keep the ice smooth and fast.
Ice sprayers work overnight (when it’s coldest) walking the entire track with specialized equipment, making sure the surface is perfect for the next day’s runs.
It’s cold, it’s lonely, and it requires serious attention to detail.
But hey, you get to see the track before anyone else does.
When Olympians Work Odd Jobs Too
Here’s the thing people don’t talk about enough: many Winter Olympians ALSO work odd jobs.
Not every athlete gets million-dollar endorsements. In fact, most don’t.
According to a survey by the US Olympic Committee, nearly 60% of Winter Olympic athletes earn less than $25,000 a year from their sport.
How Much Does it Cost to Be a Winter Olympian?
Forbes and other outlets have broken down the costs:
Figure skating: $35,000-$50,000+ per year (coaching, choreography, costumes, ice time, travel)
Ski racing: $20,000-$100,000+ per year depending on level (equipment, coaching, travel, lift tickets)
Hockey: $15,000-$30,000+ per year (equipment, ice time, travel, league fees)
Bobsled: $30,000-$50,000+ per year (training, equipment, track time)
And that’s BEFORE you factor in the years of training it takes to reach Olympic level.
Most athletes train for 8-15 years before they even qualify.
So what do they do to pay the bills?
Real Winter Olympians & Their Odd Jobs:
Kikkan Randall (cross-country skier, gold medalist) worked as a dental assistant before her skiing career took off.
Katie Uhlaender (skeleton racer) worked as a bartender and fitness instructor while training.
Emily Sweeney (luge athlete) is a firefighter and EMT in New York.
Nick Goepper (freestyle skier, silver medalist) worked at a ski shop and as a landscaper during off-seasons.
Elana Meyers Taylor (bobsled, multiple medalist) worked as a softball coach before bobsled became her full-time focus.
Chris Mazdzer (luge, silver medalist) worked in real estate and as a motivational speaker to fund his training.
Jessie Diggins (cross-country skier, gold medalist) worked as a babysitter and dog walker while pursuing her Olympic dreams.
British curler Eve Muirhead worked in her family’s garden center business.
It’s wild, right?
These are world-class athletes - some of the best in the entire world at what they do - and they’re working side hustles just to afford to compete.
How YOU Can Make Money Off the Winter Olympics (Without Being an Athlete)
Now here’s the fun part - how everyday people can profit off Olympic fever.
You don’t need to be able to do a triple axel or fly down a mountain at 80mph. You just need to be creative and entrepreneurial.
Here are seven ways to cash in:
1. Winter Olympics Airbnb Host
Every four years, a city gets flooded with visitors for the Winter Games. Hotel prices skyrocket. Availability disappears.
Enter: YOU and your spare bedroom (or couch, or entire apartment).
If you live anywhere near a Winter Olympic host city - or even a few hours away - you can make BANK renting out your space during the games.
During the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, some hosts were charging $500-$1,500+ per night for basic apartments. That’s $7,000-$20,000+ for just two weeks of hosting.
Even if you don’t live in the host city, people will travel to nearby areas and commute in to save money.
The best part? You can list your place on Airbnb right now for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina (happening literally right now!) or start planning for 2030 in the French Alps.
How to maximize your profits:
List your place 6-12 months in advance
Offer “Olympic packages” with transportation tips and local recommendations
Partner with other hosts to offer multiple rooms for families or groups
Create a guidebook highlighting the best viewing spots, local restaurants, and Olympic venues
Some hosts even rent out their place and stay with friends or family during the games. Instant profit.
2. Olympics Merch Designer & Seller
People go CRAZY for Olympics merch - especially the unofficial, quirky, meme-worthy stuff.
Think: t-shirts, mugs, stickers, hats with sayings like:
“I’m only here for the curling”
“Figure skating is my therapy”
“Sleep? Not during the Olympics”
Country-specific designs celebrating athletes
You don’t even need to hold inventory. Use print-on-demand services like Printful, Redbubble, or Teespring where you design the products and they handle printing and shipping.
Timeline: Start designing 3-6 months before the games. Promote on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook groups dedicated to Winter Olympics fans.
Profit potential: If you sell 100 shirts at a $10 profit margin, that’s $1,000. Scale that to 1,000 shirts (totally doable during Olympics fever) and you’re looking at $10,000+.
One Etsy seller made over $50,000 during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics selling stickers and pins.
3. Winter Olympics Betting Tips & Analysis Newsletter/Podcast
Betting on the Olympics is HUGE, and people are desperate for insider knowledge and predictions.
If you know winter sports - or are willing to learn and research - you can start a newsletter or podcast offering:
Daily betting tips and predictions
Athlete analysis and underdog picks
Historical trends and data breakdowns
“Smart money” insights
How to monetize:
Paid subscriptions ($10-$50/month)
Affiliate partnerships with sports betting platforms
Sponsored content from betting apps
You don’t have to be an expert. You just need to be good at research and presenting information in an entertaining way.
Some Olympics betting newsletters charge $99-$299 for a “full games package” and have thousands of subscribers. Do the math on that.
4. Local Olympics Watch Party Organizer
Not everyone wants to watch the Olympics alone at home at 3am (thanks, time zones).
Create watch party experiences in your city:
Rent out a local bar or restaurant for early morning viewing parties
Organize themed events (Figure Skating Brunch, Curling Happy Hour, Hockey Night)
Charge $15-$30 per ticket for entry, food, and drinks
Partner with local businesses for sponsorships
During the 2022 Winter Olympics, watch parties were everywhere. Some organizers made $5,000-$15,000 per event depending on size.
You can also do this virtually - host online watch parties with commentary, trivia, and prizes. Charge $10-$20 for entry and people from around the world can join.
5. Olympics Fantasy League Commissioner
Fantasy sports are massive, but Winter Olympics fantasy leagues? Still relatively untapped.
Create and manage Winter Olympics fantasy leagues where people:
Draft athletes across different sports
Earn points based on medals, performances, and stats
Compete for prizes
How to make money:
Charge $20-$50 entry fees per person
Take a percentage of the prize pool
Offer “premium leagues” with bigger buy-ins and prizes
Sell analytics packages or draft guides
You can set this up on platforms like RunYourPool or create your own using Google Sheets and a website.
Some fantasy league organizers run multiple leagues simultaneously and clear $10,000-$30,000+ per Olympic cycle.
6. Olympics Recap & Highlights Content Creator
If you’re good at video editing, writing, or social media, this one’s for you.
Create daily (or even hourly) Olympics recap content:
“Top 5 moments you missed while sleeping”
Funny commentary and meme-worthy clips
Athlete spotlight stories
Behind-the-scenes deep dives
Where to post: TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Twitter/X
How to monetize:
Ad revenue (YouTube, TikTok Creator Fund)
Sponsorships from sports brands
Affiliate links to Olympics merchandise or streaming services
Patreon for exclusive content
During the Tokyo Olympics, TikTok creators were making $5,000-$50,000+ from viral Olympics content. The Winter Olympics has just as much potential, especially with the time zone challenges making highlights even more valuable.
One creator made $80,000 in three weeks just posting Olympics highlights and commentary with affiliate links to gear.
7. Winter Olympics Travel Guide & Concierge Service
If you live near current or future Olympic host cities, become the go-to person for Olympic travel planning.
Offer services like:
Custom itineraries for visitors (where to watch, where to eat, where to stay)
Ticket purchasing assistance (navigating the confusing Olympic ticketing system)
Transportation coordination (shuttles, group transport, insider routes)
VIP experiences (meet-and-greets, exclusive viewing parties, behind-the-scenes access)
Charge $50-$500+ per itinerary depending on complexity. Concierge services can charge even more.
You can also create and sell digital guides:
“The Ultimate Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics Guide” - $29.99
“How to Experience the Olympics on a Budget” - $19.99
“Local’s Guide to the Best Olympic Viewing Spots” - $14.99
Sell these on your own website, Gumroad, or Etsy.
One travel blogger made $45,000 selling Winter Olympics travel guides and offering concierge services during PyeongChang 2018.
Should Olympic Athletes Get Paid?
I’m going to say what I said about summer Olympians: YES, they absolutely should.
Millions of people watch them. Billions of dollars are spent on advertising during the games. The IOC makes money. NBC makes money. Sponsors make money.
But the athletes? The ones actually risking their bodies flying down icy mountains and doing quadruple jumps?
Many of them are working at Target between training sessions.
That doesn’t seem right.
Any of these odd jobs strike an interest with you?
The good news is you have four years until the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps to get started on any of these ideas. That’s plenty of time to build an audience, perfect your product or service, and be ready to CASH IN when the Winter Games roll around again.
What do you think? Should Winter Olympians get paid as if this is their full-time job?
Share your thoughts below. I’m curious to hear them!
🤔 Add to your life:
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