After the repercussion of a video in which he criticizes the salaries of Brazilian athletes, Marcos Mion apologizes

After the repercussion of a video in which he criticized the salaries of Brazilians participating in the 2024 Olympics, Marcos Mion spoke out and apologized for having provided incorrect information. The presenter was even warned by Instagram under the accusation of making “partially false” comments. He pointed out that the publication was “taken out of context” and became a political debate.

Mion allegedly reported an incorrect amount for the Bolsa Atleta program. The presenter said he was sad to see Brazilians apologizing for their poor results and loss of medals. “My dears, please stop, keep your heads held high. You only deserve applause and recognition. If anyone should apologize, it’s our government, which has not built a history, has not built a tradition of investing in sports.”

He then said he had researched the monthly salary of Olympic athletes in 2024 to be able to speak about the subject. “The average is R$2,000 per month. Even so, we see our athletes competing and winning medals at every Olympics. It’s surreal.”

The Bolsa Atleta benefits are divided into six categories. Those who are part of the “base athlete” or “student athlete” category receive R$410 per month. The “national athlete” receives R$1,025 and the “international athlete” receives R$3,437. The “Olympic and Paralympic athlete” category receives R$3,437. The “podium athlete” category, those who are at the top of the world rankings, receive between R$5,543 and R$16,629.

Some time later, however, the Globo presenter corrected himself in the caption of the video. “The data in the video about athletes’ remuneration was incorrect. I apologize,” he wrote. He also acknowledged that there is “financial support offered by the Federal Government,” which, according to him, is essential to allow athletes to follow their dreams and achieve good results.

The presenter also said that the video was not a criticism of the government but rather “a reflection to stimulate a debate on improvements to financial incentives for Brazilian sports”. Mion concluded: “The focus has always been one: to value our athletes. Many, in fact, thanked the post, the voice, the space… but unfortunately the video lost its original value”, he wrote.