International Gymnastics Federation President Morinari Watanabe said Friday that the International Gymnastics Federation will not offer prize money to Olympic medalists now or in the future.
In early April, track and field's world governing body announced plans to award $50,000 to gold medal winners at this summer's Paris Games, making it the first international federation to award prize money at the Olympics. In response, he expressed his position in a telephone interview with Kyodo News.
The total prize money for the World Athletics Championships, totaling $2.4 million, will be funded by the International Olympic Committee's revenue share, which the federation receives every four years.
Daiki Hashimoto of Japan competes in the men's individual all-around final of the World Gymnastics Championships to be held in Antwerp, Belgium on October 5, 2023 (Kyodo News)
While World Athletics' decision may have been welcomed by athletes, some other sports organizations, including cycling and rowing, have criticized the move, saying it goes against Olympic ideals.
Watanabe declined to comment on how the funds allocated to each international federation should be used, but said, “FIG will use this revenue to support the development of gymnastics around the world, especially in developing countries.'' It is used for this purpose.”
Morinari Watanabe. (Joint)
“Many developing countries either don't have enough gymnastics equipment or use outdated equipment.”
The head of gymnastics emphasized the need for investment in equipment as well as training and education for coaches and referees from member federations.
“You need good soil to produce beautiful flowers,” he said. “I believe that IF’s job is to invest in the soil in which my beautiful flowers grow.”
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