Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Jide Alaka
Published on 2024-04-10 13:36:23
Nigerian athletes, such as Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume, have a significant motivation to aim for the gold at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This motivation comes in the form of a $50,000 prize awarded to gold medal winners by World Athletics. This decision marks a historic moment as Olympic champions will now receive direct prize money for their achievements. World Athletics recently announced the $50,000 prize for all gold medallists in the 48 athletics events scheduled for Paris.
Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics, highlighted the importance of this decision in a press release, stating, “The introduction of prize money for Olympic gold medallists is a pivotal moment for World Athletics and the sport of athletics as a whole, underscoring our commitment to empowering the athletes and recognizing the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic Games.” This move is part of a larger initiative that began in 2015, aiming to reinvest the money received from the International Olympic Committee back into the sport of athletics.
Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in women’s 100m hurdles, now has an added incentive to aim for gold in Paris. Coe further explained, “We started with the Olympic dividend payments to our Member Federations, which saw us distribute an extra US$5m a year on top of existing grants aimed at athletics growth projects, and we are now in a position to also fund gold medal performances for athletes in Paris, with a commitment to reward all three medallists at the LA28 Olympic Games.”
The relay teams participating in the Olympics will also benefit from this prize money, with each gold medal attracting a $50,000 jackpot. Coe mentioned, “Each individual Olympic champion will receive US$50,000. Relay teams will receive the same amount, to be shared among the team. The format and structure of the LA28 Olympic bonuses will be announced nearer the time.”
Seven Nigerian athletes have already secured their spots to compete in Paris, including Amusan in the women’s 100m hurdles, Ezekiel Nathanial in the men’s 400m hurdles, Edose Ibadin in the men’s 800m, and Emmanuel Bamidele in the men’s 400m. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will participate in the men’s shot put, while Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro will compete in the women’s long jump. This added prize money is expected to further motivate Nigerian athletes as they strive for glory in Paris.
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