In First, World Athletics To Pay Prize Money For Olympic Golds

Athletes often receive compensation from sponsors, and the Olympic tradition of amateur competition has long since faded into history, but the decision by the international track and field organization to pay prize money marks a major change for the Olympics.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe told reporters the decision reflected the efforts of track and field athletes to “bring billions to the attention” of the Olympic televised coverage.

“I don’t think this is in any way inconsistent with the concept often talked about by the International Olympic Committee, which is to recognize the efforts made by athletes for the overall success of the Games,” Coe said.

He said World Athletics only notified the IOC of the prize money decision on Wednesday, just before it was announced, and there was no prior discussion.

Asked whether he thought the IOC should have been given more attention, Coe said: “This is a sporting issue. One of the things the IOC has consistently recognized is that international federations are in charge of their own future. The priority is to shape this.”

The total prize money of $2.4 million will come from the IOC’s revenue share that World Athletics receives every four years.

Individual Olympic champions will receive $50,000, and relay teams will receive the same amount, which will be divided among team members.

Prize money will be given to silver and bronze medal winners at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“The introduction of prize money for Olympic gold medalists is a pivotal moment for the World Athletics Championships and athletics as a whole, and represents our commitment to empower athletes and recognize the important role they play in the success of the Olympic Games. It highlights our efforts,” said Mr Koh. Added.

“We are now in a position to also fund the gold medal performances of our athletes in Paris, and we are committed to rewarding all three medalists at the LA28 Olympic Games.”

In track and field, prize money began to be paid to gold medalists at the 1997 World Championships. The winner of last year’s championship in Budapest received $70,000.

Mr Coe said the change in giving Olympic titles to athletes financially reflected “the world has changed” since British athletes won gold in the 1500m at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. He said there was.

“Will this undermine amateur ethics? Well, I’m probably the last generation to get a 75p meal ticket and a second-class train ticket to represent their country in a match. Deaf,” Ko said.

“We are now operating on a completely different planet than when I was competing, so it is very important that the sporting world recognizes that the landscape has changed.”

Carsten Warholm, the reigning Olympic men’s 400m hurdles champion, told AFP that paying the prize money was a “wise move”.

“To be honest, anything offered as a prize is good for the players and motivates them,” the Norwegian said.

“These kinds of awards are so important because these athletes are working really hard and making sacrifices.”

But Briton Jonathan Edwards, who still holds the men’s triple jump world record set in 1995, said the decision was “a bit strange”.

“This is not an event (World Athletics), it’s the Olympics. I feel like this is a bit of a loss for the IOC, which has been very strict about saying, ‘We won’t give out prize money.’ Athletes who win at the Olympics ” The Olympics have already been rewarded. ”

Paris Olympics chief organizer and three-time canoeing Olympic gold medalist Tony Estinguett said he was not opposed to the prize money. “I remember when I was an athlete, my only dream was to win a medal at the Olympics…It’s not about the prize money.”

“If we can win a medal like this, it’s a victory. (Money) is not the primary motivator. But it’s also important to make sure the players can earn some money as well.”