Do athletes deserve the high salaries they receive? PT.1 I'm not going to say that they don't deserve them, but, honestly, I think that athletes' salaries are too high. Certainly being an athlete is not easy. I guess they have to follow very strict rules and a rigid and balanced diet. It looks like they must give up on many things that non-athletes normally do or eat, etc. Becoming an athlete takes a lot of time and training too. Even so, I still think that their salaries are excessive. I split the answer in half. If you're willing to correct me, look out for part 2 too, thank you!