IOC President Bach suggests focusing on supporting athletes over offering prize money for Olympic gold medallists

IOC President Thomas Bach has sparked a debate by suggesting that World Athletics should reconsider offering prize money to Olympic gold medallists in Paris this year. Bach believes that the focus should be on supporting athletes who are struggling at the grassroots level rather than rewarding those who have already achieved success.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe announced in April that the organization would be offering $50,000 in prize money to Olympic champions, breaking a 128-year tradition. While this move was welcomed by many athletes, it was met with criticism from other international sports federations who felt they were not consulted prior to the decision.

Bach emphasized that prize money has been around for decades and that the role of an international sports federation should be to support athletes in the best way possible. He pointed out that sponsors, governments, and private institutions can provide financial rewards for Olympic success, but it is not the primary responsibility of the federation.

Coe, on the other hand, defended the decision by stating that World Athletics must play a role in supporting the financial wellbeing of its athletes. He highlighted the importance of investing in development and integrity, in addition to prize money, to ensure the overall growth and success of the sport.

Despite the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Bach remains confident that the Paris Games will proceed smoothly. He expressed his belief that athletes from around the world will compete in the spirit of the Olympic Charter, without political protests or boycotts.

In a show of solidarity, the IOC has been supporting both the Israeli and Palestinian Olympic committees. Additionally, Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete in Paris as neutrals, following the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee last year due to political reasons.

As the sporting world prepares for the upcoming Olympics, the debate over prize money for athletes continues to be a hot topic of discussion. The focus remains on supporting athletes at all levels and ensuring the integrity and spirit of the Games are upheld.