It’s a move that draws attention to the fact that in the 128 years the Olympic Games have been held, not once have the competitors who make the events so entertaining been rewarded for their efforts by the organisation. The decision has undoubtedly ruffled the feathers of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with President Thomas Bach distancing himself from the move. Numerous other governing bodies chimed in, such as the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, who believe it “undermines the values of Olympism.”
To me, the concept that athletes should compete out of pure passion for their sport without any financial incentive is a near-obsolete one, particularly with an increasing number of competitors receiving sponsorship deals and endorsments. We’ve also seen athletes receive financial rewards from their national sporting bodies at the Olympics, with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee offering monetary wards worth tens of thousands to all gold, silver, and bronze medalists at games. And a number of Asian countries including Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong see heavy government involvement in these, with increasing incentives of close to $750,000 in value.
Backlash has been seen from other sports, too, with the president of the International Gymnastics Federation Morinari Watanabe stating that they will not be offering cash incentives to gymnasts at any point. Five-time rowing gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave has also expressed his disapproval, suggesting that the money instead be used “to be helping more of the grassroots of their own sports” or for less elite sports like rowing that can’t afford to offer these same rewards.
What we can hope for, however, is that the World Athletics’ move can spearhead a campaign to provide these same opportunities to other Olympic sports through alternative funds, whether that be through the IOC or support from the more popular sports as Steve Redgrave suggested. Either way, this decision is one that rightfully acknowledges that athletes are what make the Olympics truly special, and their value should be recognised as such. The hunt for gold and glory remains their main motivation, but a little extra cash in their pockets seems more than fair in my eyes.
