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With track and field stars complaining of not earning enough from different meets, changes have been witnessed in recent months, but which events will be paying more?
Track and field stars have complained of the low amounts of money they earn compared to other sports, with athletes calling for some improvements from World Athletics and other sponsors.
They seem to have been listened to as this year alone, two athletics events have been launched with the aim of paying athletes more, beating what World Athletics offers at most of its meets.
So, as the 2024 seasons nears its completion, what are the most lucrative events to look forward to?
Grand Slam Track
Michael Johnson-back Grand Slam Track is set to be the highest earning track and field event following its launch in February this year.
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12:17 - 26.08.2024
Marileidy Paulino joins Faith Kipyegon, Gabby Thomas & Co at top-paying women’s-only event
Olympics 400m champion Marileidy Paulino is the latest to sign up for the lucrative women’s-only track event set to be graced by Gabby Thomas and Faith Kipyegon in New York next month.
The name of the league and other details were announced at a June 2024 press conference in Los Angeles hosted by John Anderson with the first season due to run from April-September 2025.
In April 2024, Johnson announced initial plans for the Track and Field League, including a total of $30 million (Ksh3.9 billion) in funding from investors and strategic partners.
That includes $100,000 (Ksh12.8 million) prize for each winner, making it the highest paying track and field event.
World Athletics Championships
That will dwarf the $70,000 (Ksh9 million) paid to gold medallists at the World Athletics Championships.
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15:30 - 25.08.2024
Justin Gatlin backs Noah Lyles on the major condition to be met to consider joining Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track league
Gatlin has agreed with Noah Lyles on the big TV and streaming situation regarding Michael Johnson's Grand Slam league that has to be met to consider joining.
The global athletics governing body pays finalists up to the eighth-placed athlete at the World Championships with winners pocketing $70,000.
That is what athletes can look forward to next year when Tokyo, Japan hosts the 2025 World Championships.
Athlos NYC
Athlos NYC, a women’s-only track event, set to take place in New York on September 26, is backed by tennis legend Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian.
It will be the third highest paying athletics events as winners will pocket $60,000 (Ksh7.7 million) while second place will attract $25,000 (Ksh3.2 million), third place $10,000 (Ksh1.3 million), fourth place $8,000 (Ksh1 million), fifth place fetching $5,000 (Ksh645,598) as sixth attracts a prize of $2,500 (Ksh322,500).
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08:00 - 01.09.2024
The millions Ferdinand Omanyala & Noah Lyles will miss after failing to qualify for Diamond League Final
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and American Noah Lyles are among big stars out of the Diamond League Final and they will miss out on a lucrative prize purse.
The Athlos NYC will feature the 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m hurdles, 800m and 1500m with global superstars such as Faith Kipyegon, Gabby Thomas and Alexis Holmes among those set to feature at the inaugural edition.
Diamond League
The Diamond League is also among the highest paying athletics meets.
The Diamond League consist of 15 meets in different countries throughout the course of the year. The one-day meets see athletes compete in various disciplines in 14 cities from May to September, with the top performers qualifying for the final.
Winners of the various disciples earn $10,000 (Ksh1.3 million) per meet while there is $30,000 (Ksh3.9 million) prize for each of the Diamond League Final winners who also take home a diamond trophy.
For the final, the top six in the field events, the top eight in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m, and the top ten in the 1,500m and long-distance events are chosen after the points tally from the 14 events is accumulated.
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07:04 - 16.08.2024
Athletics pays! Staggering amount Beatrice Chebet has earned from her track wins in 2024
Beatrice Chebet is enjoying a great season after adding two Olympics gold medals to her cabinet and those wins have greatly boosted her earnings in the last five months.
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