‘I won Commonwealth bronze – then went back to work at McDonald’s’
Judoka Summer Shaw, 22, made headlines after posting a TikTok video showing her returning to a shift at McDonald's just days after winning Scotland's first-ever judo medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The clip, filmed "for funsies", went viral with over a million views, prompting surprised reactions from viewers who questioned how a Commonwealth medallist could still need a part-time job. Shaw says the situation highlights the financial reality facing many elite athletes in less lucrative sports, where funding rarely covers all costs.
Shaw won bronze in the 48kg category and, through her father's side of the family, qualifies to represent Scotland. She receives an Athlete Performance Award from UK Sport and the National Lottery to cover living costs, but says this does not stretch to funding all competitions, such as an upcoming Grand Prix in Peru, which she is paying for herself. She continues to work occasional shifts at McDonald's near her family home in Surrey, describing her employer as flexible, and has also set up a GoFundMe page to help support her training as she sets her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Judoka Summer Shaw returned to her McDonald's job after Commonwealth bronze
- Her viral TikTok video sparked surprise over athlete pay
- She self-funds some competitions and has started a GoFundMe
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Elite athletes shouldn't require part-time retail work to fund competition and training. Shaw's Commonwealth medal demonstrates her elite status, yet she must work at McDonald's to afford competitions like the Peru Grand Prix. This reveals systemic underfunding of less mainstream sports, where sponsorship is scarce. If Britain wants competitive Olympic representation, athletes need sufficient public support to focus entirely on their development.
The case against
Shaw's situation reflects normal sporting practice rather than systemic failure. She receives substantial UK Sport and National Lottery funding, has secured employer flexibility, and has resourcefully arranged crowdfunding. Many elite athletes have worked whilst training; this demonstrates resilience rather than inadequacy. Different sports warrant different funding levels based on popularity and participation costs, and expecting complete funding before Olympic-level achievement may be unrealistic given finite resources.