World Athletics announced that gold medalists at the Paris Olympics will receive $50,000 in prize money.
World Athletics’ announcement to offer prize money to Olympic gold medalists was applauded by American athletes who called it a step in the right direction. With the costs of training and competition weighing heavily on athletes, they say it was a necessary decision – although other federation leaders have criticized the decision.
WA president Sebastian Coe ended 128 years of tradition by announcing athletics’ governing body would pay $50,000 to gold medalists in Paris, a move the athletes have since endorsed.
“You can lose money in track and field as soon as you walk in the door,” Tara Davis-Woodhall, the world indoor long jump champion, told reporters this week at the Team USA Media Summit in New York.
Davis-Woodhall said even traveling to competitions poses a significant financial burden for some.
“If I don’t have sponsorship, who will pay for it? I’m going to go into 100% debt,” said Davis-Woodhall, who won a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. “It’s not a sustainable thing to do at all.”
Under the plan, WA will use its $2.4 million prize pool, which it receives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), between 48 gold medalists at the Paris Games, which begin on July 26. At the 2028 Los Angeles Games, even the silver and bronze medalists will receive prizes.
“It’s about time,” said Kenny Bednarek, Olympic silver medalist in the 200 meters. “You have athletes who work hard, with blood, sweat and tears every day, every year. And, you know, some compensation is necessary for them.
Their remarks echo the support of Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), who applauded the plan.
“Any time we can put resources in the hands of athletes, we should all rejoice,” Hirshland told reporters in New York on Monday.
“We need more resources to put in the hands of athletes, so that they both have the ability to support themselves from a day-to-day lifestyle perspective, but also (to) continue to invest in their training.”
But the proposed cash prizes have drawn criticism from other sectors of international sport.
British Olympic Association chief Andy Anson said Aerial sports that World Athletics created a problem by acting unilaterally on the issue.
The president of cycling’s world governing body said WA had gone against the Olympic spirit, while World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland said he wished WA had discussions with other sports, saying the decision had “further implications”.
Ryan Crouser, a two-time Olympic shot put champion, said he found it hard to see how anyone could object to the prize money.
“I know athletes who have won medals at the World Championships still work two jobs and live with a roommate,” the world record holder said.
“It’s just the misconception that persists that athletes at any level, if you compete in the Olympics, think you’re financially secure and you’re absolutely not.”
Karsten Warholm, the Olympic men’s 400m hurdles champion, earlier said paying prize money was “a smart decision”.
“To be honest, everything that is offered in terms of prizes is good for the athletes, it’s motivation,” said the Norwegian.
