IOC President Thomas Bach Emphasizes Inequalities Between Nations at Olympics Over Prize Money

IOC President Thomas Bach has weighed in on the controversial decision by World Athletics to offer prize money to gold medallists at the upcoming Paris Olympics, stating that the focus should be on reducing inequalities between nations rather than monetary rewards.

In an exclusive interview with AFP, Bach emphasized the importance of international sports federations like World Athletics treating all member federations and athletes equally. He stressed the need to bridge the gap between privileged and underprivileged countries, rather than further entrenching advantages for wealthy nations.

While Bach acknowledged that national Olympic committees have the freedom to incentivize their athletes with prize money, he made it clear that the role of international federations is to promote fairness and equality within the sporting community.

The announcement by World Athletics president Sebastian Coe to offer $50,000 to track and field winners at the Paris Games has sparked a mixed reaction, with some athletes welcoming the move while others expressing concerns about widening disparities between countries.

The decision has also faced criticism from other sports federations, with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) stating that it undermines the values of Olympism. The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa has gone as far as calling the move “repugnant to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Movement.”

As the debate over prize money at the Olympics continues, Bach’s stance on prioritizing equality and fairness in international sports competitions serves as a reminder of the core values of the Olympic movement.