Numerous groups have begun severing ties -- or at least reconsidering them -- with former Olympic middle-distance runner Suzy Favor Hamilton after revelations emerged that she was working as a high-priced escort.
The biggest client of Favor Hamilton's that has already decided to distance herself is Disney. On Friday, one day after her secret call girl life went public, Disney announced it was cancelling Hamilton's appearance at the August 2013 Disney Half Marathon.
The announcement came just two days after subsidiary runDisney announced that Favor Hamilton would speak during August 2013's events surrounding the distance event. The former Olympian spoke during the August 2012 Disney Half Marathon events, as well as and at a similar event in February. Disney officials said she wasn't an employee of the company, but "only an invited guest and she was never paid or acting as a spokesperson for Disney."
Favor Hamilton had appeared as a volunteer in numerous Foot Locker events, often mentoring elite high-school runners. Now, though, that is over. Peter Henkes, who runs Foot Locker's Midwest regional running series, said it was unlikely Favor Hamilton would be allowed to work, even as a volunteer, for any company events involving children.
He said,
Things will never be the same. Unfortunately some bad decisions have hurt not only her but kids in the future because she can't be that role model again.
The Big Ten conference awards what it calls the Suzy Favor Athlete of the Year Award annually. Favor Hamilton, nee Favor, won 23 conference titles and nine NCAA titles. It is unclear whether or not it will continue to offer the award.
Favor Hamilton attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she is still revered as a past athlete. Inside Kohl Center, where the Wisconsin basketball team plays, there is a long wall that commemorates "great moments in athletics history," including Favor Hamilton. In another area of the center, the trophy awarded to her as the 1989-1990 Collegiate Woman of the Year is on display, with a plaque beneath it reading, "There's only one Suzy."
Favor Hamilton is also easily found on the university's website, with a simple search. One page, describing the displays, calls her "incomparable."
It is unclear how the university will handle her presence on the website, and in public areas, now that her secret life has been uncovered.
In addition to her collegiate, Favor Hamilton competed in three Olympics. She did not medal, however.
A slideshow of images of Suzy Favor Hamilton, as she appeared on the site Haley Heston’s Private Collection in Las Vegas (with the identity Kelly Lundy), is available in the slideshow above.
