 "Athletes welcome Olympic prize money move by World Athletics")
World Athletics’ announcement of offering prize money to Olympic gold medallists has been applauded by American athletes who have called it a step in the right direction. With costs of training and competition coming down heavily on athletes, they say it was a necessary move - even though other federation chiefs have criticised the decision .
WA President Sebastian Coe shed 128 years of tradition by announcing that the athletics governing body would pay gold medal winners in Paris $50,000, a move that athletes have since endorsed.
“You can lose money in track and field as soon as you step out the door,” Tara Davis-Woodhall, the indoor world champion in long jump, told reporters this week at the Team USA Media Summit in New York.
Davis-Woodhall said even travelling to competitions is a major financial burden for some.
“If I don’t have a sponsorship, who’s going to pay for this? I’m going to go in debt like 100%,” 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.”
As per the plan, WA will use its $2.4 million pot, that it receives from International Olympic Commitee (IOC), between 48 gold medal winners at the Paris Games, which start on 26 July. At the Los Angeles Games in 2028, even the silver and bronze medal winners will receive prize funds.
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More Shorts“It’s about time,” said Olympic 200 metres silver medallist Kenny Bednarek. “You have athletes that work their butt off, blood, sweat and tears every single day, every single year. And, you know, some compensation is needed for them.”
Their remarks echoed the endorsement of United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) CEO Sarah Hirshland, who applauded the plan.
“Any time we can put resources in the hands of athletes, we should all celebrate,” Hirshland told reporters in New York on Monday.
“We need more resources to get into the hands of athletes, so that they have both the ability to sustain themselves from a just day-to-day lifestyle perspective, but then also (to) continue to invest in their training.”
But the prize money plan has attracted criticism from other corners of international sport.
British Olympic Association chief Andy Anson told Sky Sports that World Athletics created a problem by moving unilaterally on the issue.
The head of cycling’s global governing body said that WA had gone against the Olympic spirit, while World Rowing head Jean-Christophe Rolland said he wished WA had discussion with other sports, saying the decision has “other implications.”
Two-time Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser said he struggles to see how anyone could oppose the prize money.
“I know athletes that have medalled at world championships are still working two jobs and living with a roommate,” the world record holder said.
“It’s just the misconception that kind of lingers that athletes, regardless of what level you’re at, if you’re making the Olympics, that you’re that you’re financially secure and you are absolutely not.”
Karsten Warholm, the Olympic men’s 400m hurdles champion, had said earlier that paying prize money was “a smart move”.
“To be honest, anything offered in terms of a prize is good for the athletes, it’s motivation,” the Norwegian said.
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