• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 17, 2025

U.S. Track and Field Stars Reap Rewards (and Cash) in Paris

  • Team USA has won nine gold medals in athletics events.
  • The U.S. is favored to win more events as the Paris Games conclude.
Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA has been cashing in at the first Olympics with a new financial incentive for track and field athletes—and they may not be done yet.

In Paris, governing body World Athletics is handing out a total of $2.4 million to winners of the 48 track and field events. That’s $50,000 per gold medal. As events concluded Thursday, U.S. Olympians had won nine gold medals in athletics—including various sprints, distance runs, and a hurdle, as well as a long jump, discus throw, and shot put. At the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. won seven gold medals in athletics.

On Friday and Saturday, Team USA is favored to win gold medals in even more track and field events like the men’s 4×400-meter relay and the women’s 4×100-meter relay. Gold-medal-winning relay teams split the $50,000 that World Athletics awards them.

Plenty to Go Around

The U.S. stars with the greatest earning potential off the track have been Gabby Thomas (above), who won her first Olympic gold medal in the women’s 200-meter sprint, and Noah Lyles, who won the men’s 100-meter sprint and then bronze in the men’s 200 meters despite testing positive for COVID-19.

Overall, Team USA has won 27 medals in track and field events, already more than the 26 from Tokyo. Separately from the World Athletics monetary bonuses, the U.S. pays all of its Olympians ​​$37,500 for gold medals, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the football before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium.

After Months of Trash-Talking, Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill Agree to Race

The Olympic sprinter and NFL wideout will race after months of talks.

Kelsey Plum Introduced in L.A., Throws Jab at Las Vegas Aces

She won two championships with the Las Vegas Aces.

Caitlin Clark Effect: Lasting Impact on Women’s College Hoops Viewership?

Women’s March Madness starts March 16 with Selection Sunday.

NASCAR’s New Media Deals Launch As Michael Jordan’s Lawsuit Looms

The Daytona 500 begins the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Featured Today

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.

Inside the Push for the NHL’s Next Era of International Competition

Players have been clamoring, and the league is all in.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
February 15, 2025

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena
February 11, 2025

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung competes in the slam dunk competition during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center

Mac McClung’s Dunk Contest Winnings Eclipse His NBA Guaranteed Salary

The three-time dunk contest champion has played just five career NBA games.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) talks to the media with his daughter, Jada, after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.
February 13, 2025

Saquon Barkley Chides Eagles Fans for Booing Taylor Swift: ‘Only Helping’

Barkley made the comments in an interview with Howard Stern on SiriusXM.
February 15, 2025

World’s Top Tennis Player Jannik Sinner Reaches Shockingly Lenient Doping Settlement

Sinner will miss no majors despite facing a two-year suspension.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
February 13, 2025

Steph Curry, Sabrina Ionescu 3-Point Contest Out After Caitlin Clark Passes

Curry eked out a 29–26 win over Ionescu last year.
Joe Burrow
February 13, 2025

Joe Burrow Wants the Bengals to Spend Like the Eagles

“The Eagles are paying everybody,” Burrow said. “That seems like the way.”
February 11, 2025

Caitlin Clark Raves About Indiana Fever’s Offseason Moves

DeWanna Bonner said she came to Indiana to “win another championship.”
Saquon Barkley
February 10, 2025

Saquon Barkley’s Quiet Super Bowl Was Still Worth $250K

The Eagles running back capped his historic season with a middling performance.