Paris – Sebastian Coe, President of the International Athletics Federation, has once again stressed the importance of the lucrative premiere following criticism of the first-time prize money for Olympic champions. “I don’t find anything strange about it,” said Coe in Paris. He was surprised that some people did not see the connection between top-class athletes, whose well-being must be taken care of, and their importance for the profile of the sport. The athletes must find themselves in a process of growth.
$2.4 million
The world association will reward the winner of each gold medal in the 48 athletics disciplines in Paris with 50,000 dollars (around 46,000 euros). In relay races, the members share the money. If the Olympic victory is shared, the prize money is also shared. In total, the association will distribute 2.4 million dollars (2.2 million euros) in prize money. In 2028 in Los Angeles, there will also be prizes for silver and bronze.
There had been criticism from outside, for example because it meant that athletes from different associations would not be treated equally. “I was not surprised,” said Managing Director Jon Ridgeon of the International Athletics Federation. “An important part of our strategy for the future for several years has been to ensure that we reward our athletes. They are the stars of the show.” They should be given a share of any increasing revenue.
Reward for “show”
An athlete should be rewarded as part of the Olympic Games in the same way that he is rewarded as part of a world championship, Ridgeon said. Top athletes have to earn money “because they put on an incredible show.”
The athletics competitions will continue until the final day of the Olympics on August 11. The first competitions will take place this Friday in the Stade de France. The first gold medals were won on Thursday by Brian Daniel Pintado from Ecuador and the Chinese Yang Jiayu in the 20-kilometer walk.
