Nigerian Olympic gold medallists, Chioma Ajunwa and Enefiok Udo-Obong believe the World Athletics has taken a brilliant step and are on the right path after the body announced prize money to gold medalists at the world’s biggest sports event later this year.
The duo, both retired sprinters also said the move would further enhance competition in athletics events in Paris as they hope other international sports bodies would adopt the same approach as World Athletics.
There will be 48 athletics events in Paris, with relay gold medallists to share their prize money among themselves.
According to World Athletics on Wednesday, the global governing body said a total prize pot of $2.4 million has been made available for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, with gold medallists receiving $50,000 (N62 million).
This will be extended to silver and bronze medallists at the next edition of the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 it was also stated.
Speaking with PUNCH Sports Extra, Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, Ajunwa, said, ”It’s a great step for them to announce that there will be rewards for gold medallists but I would have loved them to give a token to other athletes who make the podium”.
“This will make the athletics events in Paris more competitive”.
Udo-Obong, told PUNCH Sports Extra, “It’s a good move actually because it is the first time this is happening and it should be encouraged but I also hope that other international federations emulate the World Athletics by encouraging their athletes at the Olympics.
“Gone are the days that people say the Olympics is about amateurism because professionals now take part in it. The TV money is also there, so it’s only right athletes get some incentives”.
World Athletics president Lord Coe also called the decision a “pivotal moment”.
“The introduction of prize money for Olympic gold medallists is a pivotal moment for World Athletics and the sport of athletics as a whole, underscoring our commitment to empowering the athletes and recognising the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic Games”, Coe said.
“While it is impossible to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, or on the commitment and focus it takes to even represent your country at an Olympic Games, I think it is important we start somewhere and make sure some of the revenues generated by our athletes at the Olympic Games are directly returned to those who make the Games the global spectacle that it is”.
