The Association of African NOCs’ Athletes’ Commission has criticized World Athletics for its decision to award prize money at the Olympics.

The Athletes’ Commission of the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ANOCA) has criticized World Athletics’ decision to pay prize money to winners of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Earlier, World Athletics announced the introduction of a cash prize for victory at the Paris Olympic Games in the amount of $50,000.

“Some athlete representatives have expressed concerns about the fairness of the proposal, which would result in only gold medalists in a single sport being rewarded for their achievements.” Concerns have also been raised about clean sport because by increasing the incentive to win, athletes may be subject to increased betting, manipulation or pressure to dope.

Athlete representatives welcomed the idea of ​​rewarding athletes for their efforts and achievements, but this must not come at the expense of a model of solidarity that supports and develops athletes at all sporting levels.

It is important to provide fair and balanced support to athletes that does not compromise the development of sport at the local level by rewarding those who reach the podium. The Olympic Solidarity funding model is fundamental to leveling the playing field between rich and poor countries. This concept makes the Olympic Games unique.

ANOCA calls on Olympic Committees, International Federations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take into account the athletes’ point of view in any future discussions on this topic and to continually support the development of solidarity programs for all athletes , the commission said in a press release. declaration on the ANOCA website.

Earlier, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) also criticized the World Athletics initiative.

The Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11.