Track and field paved with gold as money flows to athletes

NEW YORK — Money flowed into athletics in 2024 and even bigger paychecks will soon be up for grabs, with the sport's governing body shelling out and start-up meets offering major prizes in an encouraging sign for athletes.

World Athletics sent a message in April when president Sebastian Coe announced it would offer $50,000 to each of the Paris gold medalists, breaking 128 years of Olympic tradition. It plans to pay silver and bronze medal winners in 2028, too.

Coe routinely promises to bring relevancy to the sport outside the Olympics, and sees inflating athletes' pocketbooks as a way to keep athletics growing in popularity.