By guaranteeing gold medallists in track and field a substantial award of $50,000, World Athletics has created a new standard for the Olympics in Paris. Players like Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles are excited by this development since they want to increase their income.
Sha’Carri Richardson didn’t hold back when he accused Team USA of underpaying in December 2023. Richardson attacked the organization vehemently for not paying athletes the money they were supposed to. The subject remains unanswered as the discussion about equitable compensation continues to gather steam.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reported a staggering $2.4 billion in earnings in 2022, while the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) struggled with a meager 24 million euros, a small fraction of the IOC’s funds.
Paralympians and revenues
This financial disparity is evident in the world of athletics. This glaring disparity affects other sports disciplines in addition to making it difficult for para-athletes to get support and recognition. An outspoken supporter, Sha’Carri Richardson, has brought attention to these differences by highlighting the critical need for change and equitable resource allocation.
More equity in top sports is necessary, as the Para sports community is concerned about excluding Paralympic track and field players from this incentive.
Stefanie Reid, a well-known Paralympian athlete from Canada cleared the matter on Instagram after uncertainty arose regarding World Athletics’ pronouncements revenues. Her commitment to open communication in athletics was demonstrated when she addressed the issues in a thorough video, engaging her audience with honesty and clarity.
“Para sports are not under the jurisdiction of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, World Athletics uses its portion of the IOC’s earnings to support prize money. Furthermore, despite their friendship with the IPC, they are independent entities with distinct funding sources.” The 39-year-old said to essentiallysports.com.
Cover Photo: IG
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