IOC chief Coventry stirs social media storm over athlete payment comments
Summary
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry, said athletes should not be paid prize money at the Olympic Games. Her comments, made during a visit to Oceania, were criticized by many athletes, especially as other competitions offer large cash prizes.Key Facts
- Kirsty Coventry is the IOC President and a former Zimbabwean Olympian who won seven medals.
- Coventry said she does not believe athletes should receive prize money at the Olympics.
- The IOC does not pay athletes a salary or stipend for competing.
- Athletes typically get funding from national sports groups, sponsorships, or scholarships like the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship.
- Coventry highlighted the importance of helping athletes through talent programs and support systems, especially from smaller countries.
- Her remarks came shortly after the controversial Enhanced Games offered big cash prizes to athletes who use banned performance drugs.
- Several Olympic athletes publicly disagreed with Coventry, saying athletes sacrifice a lot and deserve financial support.
- Critics argued that the IOC expects athletes to sacrifice financially while other competitions pay large sums.
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