Jamaican sprinting great Usain Bolt has hailed World Athletics’ decision to award prize money to athletes who put their “bodies on the line” at the Olympic Games.
The governing body became the first to pay out cash at an Olympics, US $50,000 (£36,957) to individual gold medallists at Paris 2024, and also plans to award silver and bronze medallists at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Eight-time Olympic champion Bolt was speaking from Budapest the day before the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship which, with a $10 million (£7,392,550) prize pot, is the richest in the history of the sport.
“I fully agree (with Olympic prize money),” said Bolt. “We put such a big weight on the Olympics, and it’s something that the athletes also look forward to, so I definitely think and agree that they should be compensated for what they do.
“It’s work. Yes, we’re competing for a country, but at the end of the day we’re putting our bodies on the line. If we get injured, then it messes the next year up. I feel like it’s really necessary, so I fully agree with this.”
Individual champions in Budapest will walk away with $150,000 (£110,866) each, while relay teams will split $80,000 (£59,120). There is money for every colour of medal and placing, ensuring each athlete is compensated for their time.
Not every event is featured, but with the 100 and 200 metre sprints as well as a 4x100m mixed relay in play, a massive payout is particularly possible for sprinters.
Bolt said: “I was having a conversation with Safa (former Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell) before this, and we were actually talking about that same thing.
“Like, ‘We missed out on this wonderful cash prize’. I’ve won a few championships and it still doesn’t add up to all the cash.
“It’s big. It’s good for the sport. It incentivises athletes to come out here and do their best, to show up and be ready. This is a job for us, and this is what we do. It’s sad I missed out on this, but I’m happy for the athletes.”
World Athletics has promised innovation and excitement at the inaugural Ultimate, an event that will take place as a season-capper and is billed as a “counterpoint” to the sport’s world championships, held every two years.
The Budapest edition features a black infield, a draft process for the 200m lane assignments, and an evening-session only schedule across three days.
Bolt remembers traveling to Budapest as a 14-year-old for the World Youth Championships, and will “always remember” hearing Bob Marley being sung in the city centre.
The double sprint world record-holder also cleared up some confusion regarding rumours that he could be kick-starting a football career after appearing on the squad list for Wythenshawe FC Veterans over-35s on the Football Association Full-Time website.
“I don’t know what that was about!” he insisted. “I enjoy (playing football), but not professionally. With my friends. We play six-a-side some of the time when I have time in Jamaica, but that’s about it.”
