A group of international sports federations have criticised the decision of World Athletics to award prize money at the Paris Olympics as undermining the values of Olympism and the uniqueness of the Games.
Recall that last week, the world athletics governing announced that it will become the first federation to offer prize money at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, ASOIF on Friday released a statement condemning the announcement by World Athletics president Lord Sebastian Coe that track and field gold medallists at the Paris Games will receive Fifty Thousand dollars and extend prize money to all medallists at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
ASOIF, which has 30 full members and two associate members, said added that it accepted schemes by National Olympic Committees and governments to reward athletes for outstanding performances for purposes of national pride and consistently across all sports at the Olympic Games but is vehemently against Associations giving prize money.
The organisation was also unhappy that Coe had announced the move without warning to fellow federations.
World Athletics has responded in a statement insisting that its decision to award prize money was about underscoring unwavering commitment to empowering the athletes and recognising the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic Games.