New Delhi: World Athletics President Sebastian Coe on Wednesday said the introduction of prize money for Olympic medal winners was long overdue as track and field athletes are the main source of revenue for the quadrennial Summer Games. , he supported a decision that has the potential to do so. Cause of tension with IOC
Koe, himself a two-time Olympic gold medalist, admitted he had not discussed it with the International Olympic Committee – under whose auspices the Olympic Games are held – before announcing the decision.
"I don't know, I haven't discussed it with them (IOC)," Coe told reporters in a virtual conversation when asked if he had discussed MAT with the International Olympic Committee before the announcement. .
“My understanding is that our CEO (John Reason) spoke to (the IOC's) sports department this morning... and briefed them on this announcement.
“I will be more involved in the announcement part and the conversation on that announcement and I have left it up to John (CEO) (talking to the IOC).,
In a first for an Olympic sport, gold medalists in 48 athletics events at this year's Paris Games will be awarded US$50,000 by World Athletics, expanding the spectrum by giving prize money to all three medalists at the 2020 Los Angeles edition. Will do.
The modern Olympics began as an amateur sporting event and the IOC does not award prize money, although many medal winners receive hefty payments from their countries' governments, national sports bodies or sponsors.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) awarded Rs 75 lakh each to the Tokyo Olympics gold medal winners, Rs 40 lakh and Rs 25 lakh to the silver and bronze medal winners. Each participant was also given Rs 1 lakh.
Coe, who won gold medals in the 1,500 meters at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, rejected the idea that WA's new plan would undermine the amateur ethics of th Games.
"I'm probably the last generation competing for my country on 75 pence meal vouchers and second-class rail tickets," the 67-year-old said.,
“I understand the nature of the change we are in. We are now operating in a completely different landscape and on a completely different planet from when we were competing.
"Therefore, it is important that the sport recognizes the change in that landscape and the additional pressure on many competitors. I have always said that I wanted the development's income to benefit the athletes."
Coe also said WA made a decision that was within its remit.“This is an issue for our sport. The IOC has consistently recognized the primacy of international federations to determine and shape its future.
“I am hopeful that the IOC, given their commitment, their stated commitment, will ensure that the revenue raised through the Olympic movement, whether athlete or sport, is brought back to the front line.
"I think they've made the point that 89 percent of it goes back in... they'll share in that principle."
Asked again whether the introduction of prize money was in any way against the Olympic spirit of amateurism, he said, "The introduction of prize money for goal medalists acknowledges that the cause is the athletes."Let me make it clear (that) athletics is the reason (why) billions of people have watched the Olympic Games, why the events on the track attract so much revenue."
Asked if he expected other sports to follow suit, Coe said, "I don't know, it's really a matter of other individual sports. I've always decided that's more than I want to be." "Will not speak in favor of other sports." Others are speaking on behalf of Sports B athletics.
“It is entirely their matter, it would be a decision they would not have to make.,
The IOC, which has not yet commented on the development, distributes income from the Olympics to international federations. A total of US$540 million was allocated for 28 sports at the Tokyo Olympics, with World Athletics receiving the highest amount of US$40 million.
Giving away prize money at the World Athletic Championships level is nothing new. Gold medal winners at the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgar received Mercedes cars worth US$30,000.
Gold medalists at last year's World Championships earned US$70,000, only US$10,000 more than when prize money began in 1997.
Koe, himself a two-time Olympic gold medalist, admitted he had not discussed it with the International Olympic Committee – under whose auspices the Olympic Games are held – before announcing the decision.
"I don't know, I haven't discussed it with them (IOC)," Coe told reporters in a virtual conversation when asked if he had discussed MAT with the International Olympic Committee before the announcement. .
“My understanding is that our CEO (John Reason) spoke to (the IOC's) sports department this morning... and briefed them on this announcement.
“I will be more involved in the announcement part and the conversation on that announcement and I have left it up to John (CEO) (talking to the IOC).,
In a first for an Olympic sport, gold medalists in 48 athletics events at this year's Paris Games will be awarded US$50,000 by World Athletics, expanding the spectrum by giving prize money to all three medalists at the 2020 Los Angeles edition. Will do.
The modern Olympics began as an amateur sporting event and the IOC does not award prize money, although many medal winners receive hefty payments from their countries' governments, national sports bodies or sponsors.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) awarded Rs 75 lakh each to the Tokyo Olympics gold medal winners, Rs 40 lakh and Rs 25 lakh to the silver and bronze medal winners. Each participant was also given Rs 1 lakh.
Coe, who won gold medals in the 1,500 meters at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, rejected the idea that WA's new plan would undermine the amateur ethics of th Games.
"I'm probably the last generation competing for my country on 75 pence meal vouchers and second-class rail tickets," the 67-year-old said.,
“I understand the nature of the change we are in. We are now operating in a completely different landscape and on a completely different planet from when we were competing.
"Therefore, it is important that the sport recognizes the change in that landscape and the additional pressure on many competitors. I have always said that I wanted the development's income to benefit the athletes."
Coe also said WA made a decision that was within its remit.“This is an issue for our sport. The IOC has consistently recognized the primacy of international federations to determine and shape its future.
“I am hopeful that the IOC, given their commitment, their stated commitment, will ensure that the revenue raised through the Olympic movement, whether athlete or sport, is brought back to the front line.
"I think they've made the point that 89 percent of it goes back in... they'll share in that principle."
Asked again whether the introduction of prize money was in any way against the Olympic spirit of amateurism, he said, "The introduction of prize money for goal medalists acknowledges that the cause is the athletes."Let me make it clear (that) athletics is the reason (why) billions of people have watched the Olympic Games, why the events on the track attract so much revenue."
Asked if he expected other sports to follow suit, Coe said, "I don't know, it's really a matter of other individual sports. I've always decided that's more than I want to be." "Will not speak in favor of other sports." Others are speaking on behalf of Sports B athletics.
“It is entirely their matter, it would be a decision they would not have to make.,
The IOC, which has not yet commented on the development, distributes income from the Olympics to international federations. A total of US$540 million was allocated for 28 sports at the Tokyo Olympics, with World Athletics receiving the highest amount of US$40 million.
Giving away prize money at the World Athletic Championships level is nothing new. Gold medal winners at the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgar received Mercedes cars worth US$30,000.
Gold medalists at last year's World Championships earned US$70,000, only US$10,000 more than when prize money began in 1997.
