Valerie Adams praises World Athletics for rewarding Olympic champions
BENGALURU: World Athletics’ recent decision to reward Olympic champions with cash prizes has been met with enthusiasm and support from athletes around the globe. New Zealand shot put legend Valerie Adams expressed her approval of the move, stating that it signifies progress and could potentially inspire other sports federations to follow suit.
In a groundbreaking announcement, World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe revealed that gold medallists at the Paris Games will receive $50,000 each from a prize pool of $2.4 million. This marks a significant departure from the traditional practice of not offering cash rewards to Olympic champions in athletics. Silver and bronze medallists will also be eligible for prize money at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Adams, a double Olympic champion, commended the decision, emphasizing the financial challenges faced by athletes in sports like athletics compared to more lucrative sports like cricket and rugby. She believes that this move by World Athletics sets a positive example for the sporting world and demonstrates a commitment to supporting athletes.
While the decision has been widely praised, some have raised concerns about the potential disparities it may create among sports that cannot afford to provide similar incentives. However, Adams believes that this should serve as a catalyst for other sports bodies to explore ways to reward their athletes and secure sponsorships.
As a former athlete who represented New Zealand at five Olympics, Adams understands the importance of financial support for athletes. She highlighted the success of New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics and expressed optimism for the upcoming Paris Games, where she expects the country to excel in sports like athletics, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.
With the Paris Olympics scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, the sporting world eagerly anticipates the impact of World Athletics’ decision on the future of athlete rewards and recognition.