Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt has expressed strong support for World Athletics’ recent decision to award prize money to athletes competing at the Olympic Games. The governing body announced it will grant $50,000 to individual gold medalists at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the first time athletes have been directly paid prize money for Olympic performances. Additionally, World Athletics plans to extend financial rewards to silver and bronze medalists at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Bolt made his comments from Budapest on the eve of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, an event boasting a $10 million prize pool—the largest in the sport’s history. Speaking ahead of the competition, Bolt emphasized that athletes put their “bodies on the line” during the Olympics and deserve compensation for their efforts. “It’s work,” Bolt said. “Yes, we’re competing for a country, but at the end of the day we’re putting our bodies on the line. If we get injured, then it messes the next year up. I feel like it’s really necessary, so I fully agree with this.”
The Ultimate Championship offers substantial payouts, with individual event winners in Budapest receiving $150,000 each, while relay teams will share $80,000. Prize money is awarded for all medal colors and placings, providing financial recognition for a broad array of competitors. Although not every discipline features in the event, the inclusion of the 100m and 200m sprints as well as a mixed 4x100m relay creates significant earning opportunities, particularly for sprinters.
Bolt recalled discussing the new prize structure with former Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, noting that the current generation of athletes benefits from opportunities he and his peers missed. “I’ve won a few championships and it still doesn’t add up to all the cash,” Bolt said. “It’s big. It’s good for the sport. It incentivizes athletes to come out here and do their best, to show up and be ready. This is a job for us, and this is what we do. It’s sad I missed out on this, but I’m happy for the athletes.”
World Athletics describes the Ultimate Championship as a innovative season finale and a complement to the biennial World Championships. The Budapest event features several unique elements, including a black infield, a draft system for lane assignments in the 200m, and a three-day evening-only competition schedule.
Reflecting on his connection to Budapest, Bolt recalled arriving in the city at age 14 for the World Youth Championships and fondly remembers hearing Bob Marley’s music in the city center.
Separately, Bolt denied recent speculation about launching a professional football career after his name appeared on the roster for Wythenshawe FC Veterans over-35s. “I don’t know what that was about!” he said. “I enjoy playing football, but not professionally. With my friends. We play six-a-side some of the time when I have time in Jamaica, but that’s about it.”