Gayle, Mills approve paying Olympic athletes

President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Garth Gayle and legendary track and field coach Glen Mills have approved World Athletics' monetary reward to gold medallists in track and field events at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

On Wednesday, World Athletics stated it will pay track and field gold medallists prize money at the Paris Olympic Games. Winners of the 48 disciplines will receive $50,000, the same as relay gold medallists, which will be split among members of the winning teams.

World Athletics at the same time announced that at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States of America, it will take the measure a step further, by awarding silver and bronze medallists with prize monies.

President of the JAAA, Garth Gayle loves the move.

"The JAAA accepts the move by World Athletics to incentivise track and field athletes. We believe it is a positive step towards the sport on and off the track. We know the athletes will continue to perform at their best. This is timely, and we look forward to the continued growth and success of the sport," said Gayle.

Mills, despite admiring the idea, has mixed reactions about the move.

"This is a great idea as I have been saying it long ago. This has taken too long to happen, and I also believe that not only winners should be rewarded, but all finalists as the Olympic Games have been making a lot of money and the athletes should be rewarded a long time ago," said Mills.