Criticism of World Athletics’ $50,000 Prize for Olympic Gold Medals

In a controversial move, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has announced that the organization will pay $50,000 for each track and field gold medal won at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This decision has sparked criticism from Olympic sports bodies, who argue that it undermines the values of Olympism and the uniqueness of the games.

The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) expressed their concerns, stating that the move goes against the principle of solidarity and could disadvantage less privileged athletes who do not have access to commercial endorsements. They emphasized that not all sports should replicate this move, as it may take away resources from governing bodies’ essential work.

Coe defended his decision by stating that the money acknowledges that athletes are the stars of the show. He pledged $2.4 million from World Athletics’ share of the IOC’s income to fund the prize money for the 48 gold medals in track and field events.

The timing of Coe’s announcement, coming right after the ASOIF annual meeting, raised eyebrows and led to further speculation about the upcoming IOC presidential contest. With Thomas Bach’s 12-year limit expiring next year, there are discussions about changing the Olympic Charter to allow him to stay in office.

Despite the backlash from Olympic sports leaders, the promise of prize money was well-received by United States athletes preparing for the Paris Olympics. They stand to earn $37,500 for a gold medal, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the future of athlete rewards in the world of Olympic sports. The Paris Olympics are set to begin on July 26, and all eyes will be on the track and field events to see who will claim the coveted $50,000 prize for a gold medal.