The 2024 Paris Olympics are just over three months away.
Modern Olympics, which began in 1896, are often considered an amateur pursuit, but in a ground-breaking move, World Athletics recently announced prize money for medal winners in track and field.
The Olympic games are held in higher regard because in other sports like cricket, football, basketball, tennis, etc. the athletes are paid for their efforts. Meanwhile, Olympics upholds the ‘spirit’ of the game. This certain concept was coined by a Frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin, the father of modern Olympics.
According to Coubertin, the amateurism of the Olympic games differentiates it from other sports. The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has even punished athletes for receiving money prize previously.
Even though the IOC loosened its grip a bit, it never allowed the athletes to receive money directly for winning a certain event.
Going against the grain, the World Athletics has now announced a cash prize of USD 50,000 for all the gold medal winners of the event that is to be held in Paris, starting 26th July. Further, the tack and field governing body has vowed to further extend the prize money for silver and bronze medal winners in the 2028 Olympics that is set to be held in Los Angeles.
This definitely serves as a boost to athletes that are to be participating in the Olympics this year, including India’s Neeraj Chopra.
How much can Neeraj Chopra earn if he wins in Paris?
Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal for India in the previous Olympics representing the nation in Men’s javelin throw and is also the current world champion.
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