One of America’s leading short-track speed skaters has decided to compete for Hungary after falling into debt in the United States.
John-Henry Krueger, who won a silver medal at the recent Winter Olympics, has switched his national allegiance and will move to Hungary after they offered him financial support to continue with the sport.
"I was and am still proud to have represented the United States during my career but have been faced with an unsustainable situation where if I continue pursuing my career with the US team I will bankrupt myself and my family," Krueger told USA Today.
"I will be able to pay for basic necessities like groceries, rent, apartment furnishings, clothes, and equipment without putting myself and my family in debt. The coaching and team in Hungary is competitive with any in the world. I am excited to see what I can achieve when these negative variables are removed."
According to reports, Krueger's mother claims that she and her husband have spent over 18,000,000 HUF to fund his training so far.
The family recently requested that US Speedskating fund his training expenses for the next four years, working out at around 10,000,000 HUF per year, but they declined.