Still not far enough – Mills

WHILE HAPPY with the news that World Athletics will be giving monetary rewards to gold medallists at the Paris Olympics later this year, legendary track and field coach Glen Mills believes that the sport’s organising body can go a step further.

Mills was reacting to a release from World Athletics on Wednesday, announcing that in Paris, gold-medal winners would be taking home US$50,000 while relay gold medallists would split the same loot among its members.

Even with the announcement that there will be cash prize incentives for silver and bronze medallists at the 2028 Olympics in Paris, Mills, who is most well known for being the coach of Usain Bolt, believes that World Athletics should go a step further.

“This is a great idea. I have been saying this a long time ago,” was Mills’ initial response.

However, the man who coached Bolt, Yohan Blake, and Warren Weir to an Olympic one-two-three in the 200 metres didn’t end there.

“This has taken too long to happen,” he said.

“I also believe that not only winners should be rewarded, but all finalists.”

Mills believes that the Olympic Games has a duty to share some of its gains with the athletes.

“The Olympic Games have been making a lot of money, and the athletes should be rewarded a long time ago,” he said.

In the meantime, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association Garth Gayle was more politic in his response, calling it a “step in the right direction”.

“The JAAA accepts the move by World Athletics to incentivise track and field athletes. We believe it is a positive step forward for the sport on and off the track,” he said.

Gayle is aware of how difficult life can be for an athlete and just how much of a sacrifice it is to be able to stand atop the podium.

“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.”