Karsten Warholm sacrifices entry money for convention doubts

The 400 meter hurdles star has so far only confirmed that he will run Bislett Games Thursday 30 May(Diamond LeagueA series of international athletics competitions that are considered some of the most prestigious in the world.), EC in Rome and Olympics in Paris.

It will probably be relevant to run several events, but the Olympics mean everything this season. Therefore, Warholm will first take a closer look at whether he wants to run in, for example, London, Paris or Monaco in July.

– We will run more, but we will fill it in according to need and desire, Warholm said when he met the press on Tuesday.

Warholm is one of the big stars internationally in athletics and the 400 meter hurdles is among the most popular events. Therefore, he is very attractive to the event organizers and he would be better paid starting moneyMoney that an athlete receives for participating in a competition, regardless of the result. if he confirmed participation in conventions well in advance.

– Yes, in the short term, Warholm answers VG’s question about whether he loses money by answering the organizers late.

– But if you look back at our career, I would say no. Because by the fact that we have delivered in virtually every championship and won so much, it has opened so many doors for us, which would not have been opened if we took all the short-term gains, says Warholm further.

Bislett general Steinar Hoen already estimated in 2021 that Warholm could take around the million in starting money.

– In kroner and øre, I would get more if I guaranteed that I applied two months in advance. Most conventions will have a guarantee and pay more if you say yes early. I’m paid in the upper echelon of the Diamond League anyway, but for me the value of being able to make free choices is the luxury we’ve earned.

– We are probably event directors’ worst nightmare.

He continues:

– We would be stupid if we didn’t take advantage of it, but it would also be a problem for athletics if everyone did as we did, because then there would be extremely little predictability. But there we are so cynical that we care about the final sum.

– And it becomes the biggest by winning the Olympics with a world record (as in Tokyo 2021 – 45.94)?

– Yes absolutely. The Olympics were agame changerSomething that changes the situation drastically, often for the better.” for us. In our sport, it is extremely important to go for the big things.

Check Amalie Iuel’s super race:

Recently decided The International Athletics FederationAn organization that manages and organizes international competitions in athletics. to introduce financial prizes – 50,000 dollars – to all who take the 48 who take gold in athletics in Paris. it has never happened before that a special confederation pays prize money in the Olympics.

– Personally, I can’t feel that much personal commitment about it. That is not my motivation. I’m not going to say it doesn’t mean anything to me, because that would be lying. But that’s not my motivation anymore, it doesn’t drive me. And it’s partly because I feel that that piece is all in place, says Warholm.

He is nevertheless positive about the signal.

– Athletics shows that they will take steps. That prize money probably doesn’t move the needle for many who win the Olympics, maybe for some. But the avalanche they can trigger by getting IOCThe International Olympic Committee, the organization responsible for organizing the Olympic Games. to open the eyes can be large – which in the long run can lead to better recruitment. Then it’s a good move. The IOC depends on having professional athletes.