World Athletics’ Decision to Award Prize Money at Paris 2024 Games Sparks Controversy

World Athletics has made a groundbreaking decision to award prize money to Olympic champions at the Paris 2024 Games, sparking controversy and debate among international federations. The announcement by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe to offer £40,000 to gold medallists in Paris has raised concerns about the impact on the Olympic spirit and solidarity among sports.

The move has been met with mixed reactions, with UCI President David Lappartient criticizing the decision as not in line with the Olympic spirit of sharing revenues and providing opportunities for athletes worldwide. Lappartient expressed disappointment that the proposal was not discussed with other federations and emphasized the importance of spreading the prize money to benefit a larger number of athletes.

Despite the criticism, the world’s leading athletes have welcomed the decision, with a £2 million prize pot to be split among the 48 gold medallists in Paris. However, concerns have been raised about the implications of concentrating prize money on top athletes and the potential impact on sports that cannot afford to offer similar rewards.

The debate highlights the complex balance between rewarding elite athletes and supporting the development of sports at all levels. As the sporting world prepares for the Paris 2024 Games, the discussion around prize money allocation and its impact on the Olympic spirit is likely to continue among international federations and athletes alike.