Sir Steve Redgrave Warns Against Prize Money for Athletics Gold Medallists at Paris 2024

Five-time Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave has expressed concerns over the introduction of prize money for athletics gold medallists at the Paris 2024 Games, warning that it could create “an us and them situation” between sports.

World Athletics made the groundbreaking announcement in April that it would offer prize money for the first time in Olympic history, with winners in each of the 48 disciplines set to receive $50,000. This move has sparked a debate within the sporting community, with Redgrave, who won rowing gold medals at five successive Olympic games, voicing his opposition.

Redgrave argued that many athletics gold medallists are already capable of earning significant money before and after the Games, making the prize money unnecessary. He suggested that the funds could be better distributed to other sports that may be in greater need of financial support.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not award prize money to athletes, instead providing funding through international federations and national Olympic committees. While some countries offer financial rewards to their medallists, the British Olympic Association does not follow this practice.

In addition to his concerns about prize money, Redgrave also highlighted the importance of funding for rowing, stating that the sport relies heavily on the financial support it receives from competing at the Olympics. He emphasized that without this funding, rowing could struggle to survive on the international stage.

Rowing has a long history in the Olympics, dating back to 1900, and Redgrave believes that it is a fundamental and relevant sport within the Games. However, he acknowledged that there is ongoing debate about the level of support provided to sports like rowing compared to more media-friendly disciplines.

As the sporting world continues to evolve, discussions around funding and support for different sports will remain a key topic of debate, with athletes and officials like Sir Steve Redgrave advocating for a fair and equitable distribution of resources.