ASKER (Nettavisen): During the championships in Paris this summer, the International Athletics Federation (WA) will for the first time award cash prizes for an Olympic gold medal.
50,000 dollars will be awarded to the winner of the various exercises. This corresponds to over half a million Norwegian kroner.
The introduction of the prize money has caused discussions and many people disagree with the decision. That’s because you shouldn’t “put a price on an Olympic gold medal”.
Among others, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) has reacted to the decision. They have stated that they will take the case further.
Also read: Strong reactions in the environment after the Olympic announcement
Right way to go
Among the Norwegian gold favorites ahead of the championship is Karsten Warholm. The hurdler does not agree with those who are skeptical about the prize money that will now be awarded.
– I think it is the right way to go for a professional sport, to pay for the competition. Hopefully this is just the start, I think this is a brilliant move by athletics. Not for the money that will be distributed in the Olympics, but to start a larger movement, which will ensure that our sport becomes even more professional, which in turn will lead to even better recruitment, he tells Nettavisen.
Despite the fact that he is positive about the change, he has a relaxed attitude towards the topic.
– I often read a lot about these discussions and intrigues about this or other things, but I feel that I am unable to get involved. For me, it’s like, I get $50,000, then that’s great, but I don’t let that define me. Not putting a price on an Olympic gold medal is at best a cliché, it’s something you have to feel for yourself deep down. Everyone would rather have that money than not have it, that goes without saying, but that is not my motivation for winning an Olympic gold.
Read also: Million dollar deal with mum: – A lot of what I think is wrong
A larger discussion
The decision initially applies to gold medalists, but from 2028 it has been decided that silver and bronze winners will also receive money. The International Athletics Federation justifies the choice by saying that they want to recognize the athletes’ participation and that the values generated in a championship should go back to those who ensure that the championship is actually a success.
– I think this is a good first move, but I think in the long run it will trigger an avalanche of a much larger discussion. But I don’t have very strong feelings about it, it might as well be zero. For whoever wins the Olympics, it is not the sum that will move the needle, but there is a symbolism in it, says Warholm further.
He is clear that he does not see the negative part, but that he sees a larger thought behind it.
We are therefore talking about an amount of close to NOK 550,000 at today’s exchange rate. The Norwegian Olympic squad has not been selected yet, but Warholm and Jakob Ingebrigtsen are among those who are expected to fight at the top in their respective exercises.
