AK chief lauds World Athletics’ KSh 6.4 million cash reward for Olympic gold medalists
World Athletics recently announced the enticing prize monies that await podium finishers at the upcoming Paris Olympics
The stakes will be even higher at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after World Athletics announced today the introduction of prize money for all Olympic gold medalists.
Previously, Olympic champions, as well as other medalists, in athletics never received any prize money but at this year’s Olympics games, the gold medalists in all the 48 athletics events will go home with USD50 000 (approximately KES 6.4 million). Winners of relay events will receive the same amount which will be shared among the team, World Athletics said in a statement on Wednesday.
World Athletics also said in the statement that a total prize money pot of USD2.4 million has been ring-fenced from the International Olympic Committee’s revenue allocation which World Athletics receives every four years.
More To Read
- World Athletics introduces genetics testing to verify female athletes
- Vibian Chepkirui eyes historic third victory at 2025 Vienna City Marathon
- World Athletics unveils every second Sugoi as motto for the 2025 World Athletics Championships
- World Athletics Council endorses AIU`s sanctions on Bahrain
- Athletics Kenya issues warning as AIU implements stricter out-of-competition testing
- 'Incredible legacy': World's greatest athletes eulogise Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum
World Athletics added in its statement that the payment of prize money to gold medalists will be subject to World Athletics ratification processes and that includes the winning athletes undergoing and clearing the usual anti-doping procedures.
World Athletics becomes the first international sports federation to give cash awards to sportspeople at the Olympic Games and it plans on extending the initiative to silver and bronze medalists at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
With World Athletics President Sebastain Coe highlighting the decision as a pivotal moment for World Athletics and one that underscores its commitment to empower athletes and recognise the critical role they play in ensuring the success of the Olympic Games, Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir lauded the initiative as a great resource for athletes.
“This programme from World Athletics is a great resource for athletes because it adds to the other financial incentives that athletes receive from their own federations, nations, and sponsors. It is a good gesture from World Athletics and Athletics Kenya supports that,” Korir told The Eastleigh Voice.
“World Athletics’ prize money for gold medalists is almost equivalent to what we will offer our winning athletes going by the proposal of the Head of State President William Ruto to award gold medalists with KES 5 million, silver medalists with KES 3 million, and bronze medalists with KES 2 million. So, in terms of awarding our winners, we are doing very well and if that can be made as a policy, then we will be lucky because it is going to be good for us,” Korir added.
Top Stories Today
- Silent but deadly: Growing burden of respiratory diseases in Kenya
- Samsung to launch ultra-slim Galaxy S25 edge globally on May 12: What to expect
- Cold showers: The wellness trend making waves, but are they for everyone?
- How officers recruitment freeze has affected police-to-civilian ratio- KNBS
- Sudan envoy defies junta’s orders to cut ties with UAE, saying it is "irrelevant"
- Community elders and religious leaders in Garissa empowered on handling alternative justice system
- First white South Africans to arrive under US refugee plan as soon as next week
- Lamu records highest increase in ID card applications as border regions see surge
- Seven dead, houses submerged as heavy rains cause severe flooding in Mogadishu
- EAC central banks adopt master plan to modernise cross-border payments
- Health Ministry begins issuance of title deeds to safeguard public facilities from land grabs
- Chef Mohamud shares his recipe for crispy chicken wings you can make at home
- Google messages to roll out 'Delete for Everyone' feature on Android
- Consumers to benefit from decline in global commodity prices, says World Bank
- Private sector dominates Kenya’s borehole drilling as state spending dips
- Senate starts probe on expired medicine crisis in counties
- Cheluget family backs Ruto’s Narok land deal for resettlement
- Gaza’s health system under fire: 1,400 medics killed in targeted attacks
- Nurses reject payroll transfer to counties, vow to continue strike
- China, Russia unite against global bullying and power play
