Sir Seb Coe’s mistake, the Olympic prizes split the world of sport

“A new milestone in the history of our sport, in the history of athletics”, he exulted in recent days Sir Sebastian Coe, n.1 of World Athletics, former Iaaf, after his Federation, “first”, had established Olympic prizes, 50,000 dollars (47,000 euros), for the gold in Paris 2024 and then, from Los Angeles, more money they were also promised for silver and bronze. But Coe’s decision has triggered, and is triggering, an impressive series of negative responses, and is putting many Olympic Federations in difficulty.

The awards are given by the NOCs, National Olympic Committees, which receive contributions from the IOC. Coe has upset the whole system. The Association of International Summer Olympic Federations (Asoif) explained that it had been “neither informed nor consulted” by World Athletics, a member federation, before the announcement. The former No.1 of Asoif is Francesco Ricci Bitti, highly esteemed by Thomas Bach: the Belgian Ingmar Da Vos, also president of the International Equestrian Federation, has just been elected unanimously in his place, but Ricci Bitti will remain in office until the end of the year, therefore including the Paris Games. “Asoif respects and defends the autonomy of each member Federation. However, when the decision of an international Federation has a direct impact on collective interests, it is important and right to discuss the issue at stake with the other Federations in advance.”

Which Coe didn’t do. “This decision – claims Asoif – undermines the values ​​of Olympism and the uniqueness of the Games”. In many cases many Olympic medal winners also take sponsors’ money, perhaps indirectly, and “this decision by Coe does not take into account the less privileged athletes. Not every sport could replicate this move, even if they wanted to. It goes against the principle of solidarity of sport.” Ricci Bitti is aligned with Bach.

Also the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), David Lappartient, criticized the former British champion’s move, saying: “We really believe that this is not the Olympic spirit. The proposal has not been discussed. If we focus money on top athletes, many opportunities will disappear around the world.” The chief executive of the British Olympic Association, Andy Anson, expressed similar reservations, telling Sky Sports: “The IOC wasn’t involved, nor were the National Olympic Committees. Now other sports are getting pressure from athletes who say : ‘Well, what about us?’

The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa is also very harsh: “A repugnant decision against the fundamental principles of the Olympic Movement. Some athlete representatives have expressed concern about the proposal, which would mean only gold medals in a sport would be awarded. Concerns have also been raised on the issue of clean sport, as by increasing the incentive to win, athletes could be at risk of betting, manipulation or pressure to turn to doping,” the organization said.

He also expressed his opinion on this issue Giovanni Malagòn.1 of CONI: “I believe there should be no hypocrisy, we have reiterated the Olympic prizes for Paris, 180,000 euros gross for gold, 90 for silver and 60 for bronze, I honestly don’t see myself having to do it personally controversy, if these prizes are awarded by one entity over another”. And on Coe’s decision he explained: “Athletics is by far the most universal sport that exists, there are many countries on the African continent that medal and, in my opinion, it is also a message to support these athletes.”

Malagò is also an IOC member, but his words do not seem in line at the moment with the International Federations. World Athletics received almost 40 million euros from the IOC based on the results of the last Games and now paying 4.2 million for all the gold medals splits the world of sport, creating disparities with other perhaps less wealthy Federations. In short, Sir Coe seems cornered. He split the world of sport and went against the IOC and many of his colleagues. More than a milestone…