Nurses, PhDs in Mathematics, Construction Workers... 'Two-Job' Players [Paris Olympics]

2024 Paris Olympics 'Two-Job' Athletes
'Nurse-Weightlifter' 'PhD in Mathematics-Cyclist'
Balancing Main Jobs with Sports... Aiming to Cover Training Costs and More

PhD mathematician cyclist, epidemic researcher track athlete, nurse weightlifter, construction worker shot put athlete….

Most Olympic athletes are full-time athletes, but some compete while balancing careers in completely different fields.

Anna Kiesenhofer (33), Austria’s national representative competing in the women's individual road cycling event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, holds a PhD in mathematics. She majored in mathematics at Vienna University of Technology, completed her master's degree at the University of Cambridge in the UK, and finished her doctoral studies at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain. While working as a researcher at the Rosen University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland, she prepared alone for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and competed. She became a surprise gold medalist, delivering Austria its first cycling gold medal in 125 years. This year, she is once again challenging for gold, this time on the road rather than in the lab.

Gabrielle Thomas (29) of the U.S. women's track team is a star athlete noted for her long academic career, gaining attention since Tokyo. She won the bronze medal in the women's 200m final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Thomas double-majored in neurobiology and global health at Harvard University and studied epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Texas graduate school. Having completed her master's degree last year, she is preparing for the Paris Olympics this year while continuing medical volunteer work and is reportedly considering pursuing a doctoral program. In a past interview, Thomas revealed that her interest in neurobiology was sparked by her twin brother’s ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and her younger brother’s autism, and she expressed her ambition to contribute to improving racial disparities in healthcare systems in the future.

Tom Walsh, the New Zealand national representative and bronze medalist in shot put at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He has ventured into the construction industry and is currently active, aiming to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics for another medal hunt.
[Photo by Athletics New Zealand]

Tom Walsh (34), the New Zealand shot put record holder, is a powerhouse who won bronze medals at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. After the Tokyo Olympics, he ventured into construction following a gym construction project, and was seen busily moving around construction sites. However, he has temporarily put aside construction work to sweat it out on the field again in preparation for the Paris Olympics.

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (31) of the Indian women's weightlifting team is a case of life transformation, having worked as a train ticket inspector while competing in the Olympics. She is the silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a world champion, bringing the second Olympic medal in Indian weightlifting history to her homeland.
[Photo by AFP]

There is also a case of a train ticket inspector who succeeded in turning his life around by competing in the Olympics. Mirabai Chanu (31), a member of the Indian women's weightlifting team, is a silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a world champion, marking the second Olympic medal in Indian weightlifting history. Born as the youngest of six siblings in a poor family, she lifted heavy bundles of firewood that even her four-years-older brother could not lift from a young age. Chanu wanted to do archery but was encouraged to try weightlifting at a local sports center.

She quickly showed talent after starting the sport, sweeping international recognition with a silver medal in the 48kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, a gold medal in the 48kg category at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships, and a gold medal in the 48kg category at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. To maintain her athletic career, Chanu worked as a ticket inspector at a train station while training and competing in tournaments. Following her medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics, she has now moved to a position as a police officer and is challenging new records at the Paris Olympics.

Cyril Chatchet, a member of the refugee Olympic weightlifting team, is both a weightlifter and a psychiatric nurse.
[Photo by olympics.com]

Cyril Chatchat (30), a member of the Refugee Olympic Team’s weightlifting squad, is both a weightlifter and a psychiatric nurse working in London. Originally from Cameroon, he competed in the 85kg weightlifting category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, UK, finishing 5th. However, after the competition, Chatchat received threats to his safety from his home country and left the team to become a refugee. As a teenager, he only thought about death but, with the help of charitable organizations, he found shelter and was able to resume weightlifting.

He placed 10th in the 96kg weightlifting category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and graduated with honors from Middlesex University’s nursing program. He has achieved good results in both academics and training. Chatchat currently works as a mental health nurse at Bentley House Medical Centre in London’s Harrow, helping patients who have experienced trauma similar to his own. He plans to compete again at the Paris Olympics, aiming to set new records. In a pre-interview published on the official Tokyo Olympics website, he said, “Every athlete dreams of competing in the Olympics. (To other refugees) You can do it. Take on the challenge!”