This summer, World Athletics will make Olympic history as the first federation to give prize money.
Athletics gold medal winners will receive $50,000 (£39,400).
According to UCI President David Lappartient, “the Olympic spirit is to share revenues and have more athletes compete worldwide.”
“To distribute the money rather than just focus it all on the best athletes.”
“If we concentrate money on top athletes, a lot of opportunities will disappear for athletes all over the world.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not give out prizes because the Olympics started out as amateur sports competitions; instead, money is distributed through international federations.
