Because there's a middle man that contracts these "elite athletes" as you call them (they are performers for mediocre wages). Action Horizons subcontracts these guys to work for them at Universal. I'm sure they don't want to take on any lawsuits.These elite athletes are certainly not at severe risk in any sense of the word.
They might just assume the risk and go with it and trust that their other actors aren’t being buffoons when they get home.
I’m almost positive if they give these athlete/actors the option of performing or not, they’d choose performing. Why not leave it up to their discretion? Allow them to decide unanimously and anonymously.
This show is not something that is essential to having the park open. It can open on it's own time if it has to.