“This should change immediately”-Fans react to disparity in prize money between U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials and U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials

2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field - Day 4

The track and field top finishers at the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials earned $11,000. On the other hand, the first-place finishers are not to receive anything at the US Olympic Gymnastics Trials. This disparity in financial rewards left fans in splits, with some rallying for fairness, while others pointing out the usual practice of zero prize pool in the Olympics.

The U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials is midway and the athletes are booking their berth on the Paris Olympic roster. But most importantly, they are walking home with adequate money. World Athletics introduced a prize pool ($50,000) for the gold medalists, becoming the first international federation to do so.

On the other hand, the gymnasts will not get a single dollar from their winnings, on top of being unsalaried. They would only be reliant on brand endorsements. An Instagram page posted a collage of Noah Lyles and Simone Biles and specified the prize money for Olympic qualification.

"Qualifying for the Olympics can come with prize money—or none at all—depending on the sport."

In response, several fans called out the decision body's call to not compensate the deserving athletes. One fan asked for an immediate alteration of the decision, writing:

"This should change immediately Especially if you are an athlete that is draw, that moves the meter."

Fan comment on pay disparity; Instagram - @frontofficesports

Another fan called out the information misleading, saying:

"I feel the post is a little misleading,..Track & Fields so far is the only sport as well as the first sport to pay pricemoney for medalists!?"

One fan wished for the sports organizers, and not the athletes, to be blamed for the pay gap amid the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials.

"The blame should go to the sport organizers, not the athletes themselves."

Another fan pointed out the similarity between the NCAA before NIL and the Olympics since NCAA athletes didn't earn until the Name, Image, Likeliness update.

"The Olympics is just like NCAA was before NIL."

Another fan sided with the viewership aspect and said that it was fair for the track and field athletes to be paid more.

"And that’s how it should be... some sports generate more viewing and spectacles. It is what it is."

One fan strictly asked the social users to stop stirring race and gender wars with the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials underway.

"Stop trying to create gender and race wars."

The list of notable athletes who qualified for Paris at the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials

In the men's 100m, Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and Fred Kerley, qualified for Paris. In the women's 100m, Star Athletics' training partners, Sha'Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson, and Twanisha Terry secured their maiden Olympic berths.

At the U.S Track & Field Olympic Trials, Quincy Wilson, the Maryland high schooler, qualified in 400m, and Anna Hall marked her heptathlon comeback by punching a ticket to Paris. Ryan Crouser qualified in men's shot put and Yared Nuguse qualified in 1500m at the 2024 U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials.