2024 Olympics in Paris:

Athletes can look forward to big prize money for gold

The World Athletics Association will reward Olympic gold medal winners at the Summer Games in Paris with 50,000 dollars (46,000 euros) each. This makes it the first sport to pay prize money for gold medals in August, World Athletics emphasized after a corresponding decision on Wednesday. The federation also announced that it will pay out 2.4 million dollars (2.2 million euros) for a total of 48 events.

For relay events, the members will share the 50,000 dollars. In 2028 in Los Angeles, there will also be prize money for silver and bronze. World federation president Sebastian Coe spoke of a key moment for the federation and athletics. "This underlines our commitment to empowering athletes and the crucial role they play in the success of all Olympic Games," explained the 67-year-old Briton, who was Olympic champion over 1,500 m in 1980 and 1984.

"Have to start somewhere"
The journey that began in 2015 will continue, with the money that the federation receives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) flowing directly back into the sport. Coe has headed the world athletics federation since 2015. "We need to start somewhere and ensure that some of the revenue generated by our athletes at the Olympic Games goes directly back to those who make the Games the global spectacle that they are," he said.