World Athletics broke with 128 years of Olympic tradition and announced it would become the first international sport to offer bonuses to athletes who win gold medals at the Olympics, potentially clashing with the International Olympic Committee.
Starting in Paris this summer, track and field athletes who win a gold medal in each of the 48 events will also receive a $50,000 bonus. World Athletics has also pledged cash prizes to silver and bronze medalists from the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The decision is particularly striking given that the IOC has never offered bonuses to those who compete in the Olympics or win medals – arguing that participation in the Games is a reward enough.
World Athletics president Seb Coe said in a statement explaining his decision that his athletics federation was right to use the $2.4 million it receives every four years from the International Olympic Committee to reward athletes.
“Establishing a prize for Olympic gold medalists is a critical moment for World Athletics and athletics as a whole, underscoring our commitment to empowering athletes and recognizing the critical role they play in Olympic success,” he said.
“While it’s impossible to put a market value on the commitment and focus required to win an Olympic medal or represent your country at the Olympics, I think it’s important that we start somewhere and ensure that some of the revenue generated by our athletes at the Olympics is directly Give back to those who make the Olympics a global event.”
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Coe said he had not yet discussed the decision with IOC President Thomas Bach. “But I hope they will welcome it,” he said, noting that the International Olympic Committee is also putting money back into sports. “The world has changed and it’s important to provide funding for athletes wherever possible.”
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Asked whether winning a gold medal was enough and whether paying athletes would go against the spirit of the Olympics, Coe added: “I don’t think so. If I thought athletes were competing just for money, I might have a different view. But the world has changed and this is just a recognition of the contribution we can make in all 48 disciplines. As we grow as a sport, I want to increase that opportunity.”
