Summary:

• The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) is embracing World Athletics’ decision to recognize gold medalists at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with monetary rewards.

KAMPALA, (Examiner) – The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) has welcomed a move by World Athletics to reward gold medal winners at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Earlier this week, World Athletics announced that each of the 48 athletics events at the Paris Olympics will see its gold medal winner earn 50,000 U.S. dollars. This landmark move signals the first time in the 128-year history of modern Olympics that cash prizes will be awarded.

UAF president Dominic Otuchet told Xinhua on Friday that this development is very good news.

“In the past, the Olympics have just been like a festival where athletes go and compete and celebrate, but if money is brought into the Games, then it also raises stakes and brings more competitiveness.”

“Now winning an Olympic gold medal and together with 50,000 U.S. dollars for the athletes will be very motivating and add more spice and determination to the Games. There is always a start to some developments, and we are very happy as Uganda that this is now starting because we are also confident some of our athletes will win gold,” said Otuchet.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said although it is not easy to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, it is very important that they started from somewhere by introducing the cash rewards for gold medal winners.

“This is one of the best news we have heard this week and our athletes are very happy that this development is taking place because they stand a chance to win cash at the Olympics,” Otuchet added.

Uganda will send over 20 track and field athletes at the Paris Olympics. At the last Olympics in Tokyo, Joshua Cheptegei and Peruth Chemutai won gold medals in the men’s 5,000m and women’s 3,000m steeplechase, respectively.