In track and field, medals don’t always pay the bills. But sponsorships surely do. And for athletes chasing Olympic dreams, a brand deal isn’t just a bonus but survival. But what happens when you’re 25, in your prime, winning medals, and still… no deal? That was the reality for American 400m star Christopher Bailey, who, despite a decorated NCAA career and an Olympic gold medal, remained unsponsored deep into 2024. But now it’s time to speak out when you’re the Nike Athlete.

Bailey had the resume. At the University of Arkansas, he set a school record in the 400m. He claimed NCAA gold. Then came the ultimate highlight, Olympic gold in Paris 2024. And yet, not a single brand deal came his way. No Nike. No Adidas. Nothing. Track and field, where millions are made by a few, is still a sport where even Olympic champions can go unseen. But everything changed in 2025.

Well, Bailey appeared on The Final Leg Track & Field podcast with host Anderson Emerole, where he exposed a harsh truth about sponsorship in the sport. Despite an Olympic gold medal and consistent high-level performances, he was still overlooked. “With me, I wasn’t, like, too concerned about getting a sponsor, um, because that’s just added unnecessary stress,” Bailey explained.

Bailey exploded onto the scene again, this time at the Grand Slam Track meet, where he beat a world-class field, clocked 44.34, and became the event’s first-ever 400m champion. That same fire caught Nike’s attention, and in April, he officially signed with the iconic brand. In an interview with Citius Mag, Bailey gave credit to his agent, McDaniel Livier, for making it all happen. But that deal came with hard lessons.

“If I’m stressing, stressing about, like, not being sponsored, I was just more so focused on doing what I can to, you know, let them see I’m something worth taking a gamble on.” His focus was never on chasing brands but on making his talent undeniable. His mindset was simple: compete, deliver, and let the business side fall into place. “I just wanted to make myself a worthy investment, and it worked out,” he said.

“I typically left all the, you know, stressing to my agent to get that stuff.” Still, his journey reveals a major flaw in how sponsorships are awarded. It wasn’t until he reached the very top that the support followed.

Despite the big achievements, the 25-year-old track and field star keeps pushing

Hailing from Atlanta, GA, and a proud graduate of Carver High School, the 25-year-old track and field star’s path wasn’t flashy at first. Bailey kicked off his college journey at Mississippi Valley State, leveled up at the University of Tennessee with a degree in Kinesiology, and then truly found his stride at the University of Arkansas, where he completed a master’s in Operations Management.

And oh, he didn’t just study; he cooked up a 45.09 in the 400m to set a school record. From low-key college meets to high-stakes world finals, Bailey was just getting started. Then boom! Paris 2024 happened. Bailey anchored Team USA’s gold medal-winning 4x400m relay squad to an Olympic record of 2:54.43 and finished 6th in the 400m final with a strong 44.58. From there, the medals started piling up.

But it all started with gold at the 2023 World Championships in the 4x400m, silver at the 2024 World Indoors, bronze at the U.S. Indoor Championships, and now two more golds at the 2025 World Indoors! One in the 400m and another in the relay. And let’s not forget his Diamond League breakout in 2025: a 44.17 personal best in Shanghai, a win in Kingston, and a runner-up finish in Xiamen.

No drama, no shortcuts, just raw drive and quiet dominance. Christopher Bailey is no longer just one to watch. He’s the one they’re all chasing. And clearly, Nike’s sharp eye saw this young track and field star coming when they locked in with this rising star.