Paralympian Stef Reid recently spoke about the pressing issue of athletes’ payment with a video posted on her Instagram profile in which she expressed her thoughts. She said: “For the first time in Olympic history, the 48 track and field gold medallists in Paris 2024 will be paid $50,000 in prize money by World Athletics (total prize purse of $2.4 million).”
“Athletics is the only sport doing it, and it’s not been well received by the other federations. But as an athlete, I think it’s a good thing,” she added.
The para-athlete also expressed that there was no lack of money for athletes and provided a good reason for it. Reid said: “I would say the money is there and that’s because the IOC shares its broadcast revenues across all summer sports.”
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Stef Reid on compensations
Underpayment is currently wreaking havoc on the sports world. The fact that Olympic athletes are not paid for their participation is no longer a mystery. World Athletics, headed by Sebastian Coe, found a solution by giving a substantial sum of $50,000 to the gold medal winners at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, as it was recently reported.
Reid emphasized the point of having a “difference between not being able to afford something and choosing to invest elsewhere.” Reid used the example of how the IOC divided 540 million among the 32 federations to support her position even further. She made a subtle jab at the other federations by pointing out that the organizations choose how they would allocate the funds. She said that rather than supporting the athletes like the World Athletics, the others invested their allotted money in other growth strategies and activities.
However, following the news that World Athletics will be giving its athletes $50,000, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations expressed disapproval of the decision. “For many, this move undermines the values of Olympism and the uniqueness of the games,” the ASOIF said.
Cover Photo: IG
Source: EssentiallySports
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