U.S. Track and Field Stars Reap Rewards (and Cash) in Paris

August 8, 2024

Team USA has been cashing in at the first Olympics with a new financial incentive for track and field athletes—and they may not be done yet.

In Paris, governing body World Athletics is handing out a total of $2.4 million to winners of the 48 track and field events. That’s $50,000 per gold medal. As events concluded Thursday, U.S. Olympians had won nine gold medals in athletics—including various sprints, distance runs, and a hurdle, as well as a long jump, discus throw, and shot put. At the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. won seven gold medals in athletics.

On Friday and Saturday, Team USA is favored to win gold medals in even more track and field events like the men’s 4×400-meter relay and the women’s 4×100-meter relay. Gold-medal-winning relay teams split the $50,000 that World Athletics awards them. FOS