Sebastian Coe advocates for athlete prize money and political independence in sports

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has emphasized the need to maintain independence from political influence in global sports. Speaking at the European Athletics Championships, Coe argued that while strong relationships with governments are essential for delivering major events like the Olympics, sporting organizations must remain resilient against political pressure to influence decisions.

Coe also defended the importance of prize money for athletes, linking financial stability directly to athlete welfare. He noted that financial security provides the peace of mind necessary for athletes to continue training without placing undue stress on their personal networks. This stance follows World Athletics’ decision to award $50,000 to gold medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a move that drew criticism from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for departing from Olympic tradition.

Additionally, Coe highlighted the upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, which will feature a $10 million prize pot.