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In Track and Field, Money Flows to the Flashy and Stylish

Winning is important when it comes to making a living in the sport. But so is finishing in style.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica smiles while winning the 100-meter semifinal sprint at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.Credit...Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

The shot-putter knew that she could never be like Bolt — one of the most popular and recognizable track and field athletes ever — nor was she looking to be. But she was taking notes.

Bolt set world records as a sprinter, but it wasn’t just his speed that made him one of the wealthiest track and field athletes of all time.