“He Deserves Better”: Fresh Controversy Takes Track and Field Community by Storm as Paris Olympics Clinching Spot Athlete Goes Unsponsored

Olympic dreams don’t come cheap. The 2024 US Olympic track and field trials highlighted this reality as athletes faced the daunting expenses of travel, accommodation, training gear, team support, and more. Leading up to the ten-day competition, athletes voiced concerns about the financial strain, with even Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek chiming in.

Then, in Eugene, amidst those with sponsorships, the sight of 35 unsponsored athletes in plain black, logo-free attire caught everyone’s attention at the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials. Among them stood a celebrated World Champion who secured a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics for the 400-meter hurdles event. Despite his accolades, which should have garnered him sponsorships, the track and field community was left stirred up.

2x World Champion and Paris Olympian remains Unsponsored despite his track record

According to a post on X by CITIUS MAG, they shared an image of Trevor Bassitt, who secured a spot on the 2024 US Olympic team in the 400m hurdles, with the caption “SOMEBODY SPONSOR THIS MAN‼️‼️‼️” At Tracktown, Bassitt secured his third straight national team spot outdoors by taking third in the 400-meter hurdles at 47.82 seconds. It was his best performance of the season, knocking off more than a second. The Bluffton native Trevor Bassitt boasts an impressive resume as a 2x World Champion, 2x World Indoor Championships Silver Medalist, and 1x World Championships Bronze Medalist.

Despite his track record and current 8th ranking in men’s 400m hurdles, he sported all-black, logo-free kits at the 2024 US Olympic trials, part of Bandit Running’s Unsponsored Project. Bandit Running offered Olympic hopefuls like Bassitt unbranded kits and warmups, plus short-term endorsement deals, instead of the traditional sponsorship model where athletes often buy gear with major brand logos. Co-founder Tim West noted they provided at least 35 two-week deals at the trials, giving athletes a platform and financial support, with the option to switch to traditional sponsorships if offered during the trials.

After qualifying for Paris wearing Bandit’s apparel, Trevor Bassitt reflected to FloTrack that he had been unsponsored his entire career. He said, “This Bandit deal is technically the first sponsorship I’ve had so ‘The Unsponsored Project’ is my first sponsor. So that’s kind of ironic.” Reflecting on these words and the shout-out from CITIUS MAG for sponsoring Trevor Bassitt, many fans expressed frustration online about his unsponsored status despite his achievements.

Track and field fans riled up due to Trevor Bassitt’s situation

Many track and field fans expressed deep disappointment and frustration seeing a World Champion and now Paris Olympian like Trevor Bassitt still without sponsorship. One fan passionately shared, “Forget just making the team, he already has a World’s MEDAL! He deserves better and the sport deserves better!” Another fan chimed in, “don’t know why he’s not sponsored yet, he shows up and delivers and is a class act,” given Bassitt’s consistent performance throughout his career.

Another frustrated supporter questioned, “How many teams does this dude have to make to get sponsored? I mean – this is really a no brainer. He’s a four time world championship medalist, two time world champion. Like – what are we waiting on?” Reflecting on the broader issue, another fan added, “I don’t think many people realise how many people who make World and Olympic teams go unsponsored. This was what made the whole Eric Holt thing so ironic. There are so many more deserving athletes who remain unsponsored.”

Holt, a previously unsponsored runner who made headlines at Eugene. He came to the trials as a viral sensation, known for quitting his job to chase his running dreams, and soon after he signed with Puma through 2025, taking money off his list of worries. Lastly, echoing the disbelief over Bassitt’s sponsorship status, another fan lamented, “An individual world medalist and not sponsored???” Reflecting on Trevor Bassitt’s tough situation serves as a stark reminder of the disparities many athletes encounter in their careers. What do you think about this? Share your thoughts below!