Ancient Olympia: World Athletics' decision to award prize money at the Paris 2024 Games goes against the Olympic spirit and unity between international federations, the head of cycling's world governing body (UCI) said on Tuesday. Ta.
Track and field became the first sport to offer cash prizes to Olympic champions when Washington State President Sebastian Coe announced last week that gold medalists at the Paris Games would each receive $50,000 in prize money.
This decision surprised other Leagues of Nations.
“We truly believe that this is not the spirit of the Olympics,” UCI president David Lapartient told reporters on the sidelines of the Paris Olympic torch-lighting ceremony.
“The proposal is [by World Athletics] Not discussed.it was [announced] The day of our parent organization's meeting. It should have been on the agenda,” he added.
“The spirit of the Olympics is to share the revenue and allow more athletes to compete around the world. Rather than just putting all the money into the top athletes, we spread the money out.
“If we focus our money on top athletes, we will miss out on a lot of opportunities for athletes around the world.”
WA's announcement received positive feedback from the world's top athletes, and the $2.4 million prize pot will be divided among the 48 Paris gold medalists.
At the last Tokyo Games, a total of $540 million was allocated to 28 sports, with World Athletics receiving the most with $40 million.
“We need to make sure we have athletes tomorrow,” said Jean-Christophe Rolland, head of World Rowing.
“I fully respect World Athletics' decisions as long as they concern Olympic athletes outside of my sport.”
The game is about all sports, not your sport. I would appreciate it if you could discuss it among us.
“This decision does not only affect athletes. It has other implications as well.”
Mr Lapartien and Mr Laurent are not the first to criticize the move, with five-time British Olympic rowing champion Steve Redgrave calling the decision unfair to other sports that cannot afford to do the same. It is criticized that.
Published at Dawn on April 17, 2024
