50 grand for gold: World Athletics to break tradition with prize money for Olympic winners

Track and field athletes set to benefit financially from Paris 2024.

The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics gold medal designed by Fench luxury jewellery house Chaumet. Photo by THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images

World Athletics has broken 128 years of Olympic tradition – and set itself on a potential collision course with the International Olympic Committee – by announcing that it will become the first international sports to give athletes money for winning a gold medal at the Games.

Starting in Paris this summer, track and field athletes who win gold in each of the 48 events will also walk away with $50,000. World Athletics have also promised to extend the cash prizes to Olympic silver and bronze medal winners at the LA 2028 Games.