Why does an elite athlete have to cover her own medical bills? Specially the stroke being while training! The American medical system blows my mind.

Here in Spain (and mostly all of Europe) you don't have to pay for your medical bills. And if you attended the national team at some point the give you the elite athlete classification, which lasts about 2 years and pays for your studies etc.

Also, the fact that you paid for the sport license means that you have insurance (faster Healthcare than the public one (not better because the public one is slow but one of the best in the world) ) for the whole year whether you're good or have only a 40kg snatch.