The recent decision by World Athletics to award cash prizes to gold medallists at the Paris Olympics has stirred controversy and criticism. Andy Anson, the chief of the British Olympic Association (BOA), has voiced his concerns, stating that this move creates a problem.
World Athletics, under the leadership of President Sebastian Coe, announced that gold medallists at the Paris Olympics would receive $50,000. This decision marks a significant departure from a 128-year tradition, as sports have never awarded prize money in the history of the Olympics.
Andy Anson questions the Spirit of the Olympics on prize money announced by World Athletics
“I think what wasn’t great about the announcement last week is when one sport goes off and does something on their own, doesn’t include the other sports, the IOC or the National Olympic Committees,” Anson told Sky Sports on Wednesday.
British Olympic Association CEO Andy Anson sat down with Sky's @RobHarris to discuss World Athletics' announcement that they would give gold medallists a cash prize.
Anson lamented the fact the group decided to go it alone with their initiative ⬇️ https://t.co/9PlHnVD4f0 pic.twitter.com/XRcgWcfuVX
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 17, 2024
Anson’s criticism stems from the unilateral nature of the decision. He expressed his disappointment that World Athletics made this announcement without including other sports, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), or the National Olympic Committee. This move has led to scrutiny and pressure from athletes in other sports, who are now questioning why their sports can’t offer similar rewards.
The decision by World Athletics also took other sports federations by surprise. David Lappartient, the president of the cycling governing body (UCI), stated that World Athletics had not discussed the move with other federations and that it went against the Olympic spirit. The Olympic spirit, according to Lappartient, is to share revenues and have more athletes compete worldwide, not just put all the money on the top athletes.
Anson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the strength of the Olympic family lies in all sports working together. He criticized World Athletics’ decision as inappropriate and unhelpful. Furthermore, he warned that this move could lead to a two-tier Olympics, where only a small number of top-performing athletes receive financial rewards.
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