In a surprising move, World Athletics and its president Sebastian Coe announced a plan to pay $50,000 for each track and field gold medal won at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This decision has sparked criticism from various Olympic sports bodies, including the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
ASOIF expressed concerns that this move by World Athletics undermines the values of Olympism and the uniqueness of the games. The organization emphasized that the Olympic Games have traditionally not offered prize money for medals, with many athletes benefiting from commercial endorsements instead.
Sebastian Coe, a former Olympic champion, pledged $2.4 million from World Athletics' share of the IOC's revenue to fund the prize money for 48 gold medals in track and field. This decision has raised questions about the future of IOC leadership, as current President Thomas Bach's term is set to expire next year.
While Coe defended the move by stating that athletes are the stars of the show, ASOIF argued that not all sports should follow suit in offering prize money. The organization highlighted the importance of investing Olympic revenues into development and integrity matters, rather than focusing on monetary rewards for athletes.
The timing of Coe's announcement, which came right after the ASOIF annual meeting, has further fueled the debate within the Olympic community. Some athletes, particularly from the United States, have welcomed the prospect of earning additional money for their medal performances in Paris.
Despite the mixed reactions, the Paris Olympics are set to begin on July 26, with athletes gearing up to compete for glory and potentially lucrative rewards.
For more updates on the Summer Olympics, visit AP Summer Olympics.
