Japanese electronics company TDK and World Athletics’ new Inside Track platform will offer athletes who set new world records a special award of US$100,000, the world governing body has announced.
The achievement must be an improvement on the existing World Athletics world record, as performances equalling the existing world records will not be eligible for the special awards.
TDK will offer the special awards for the men’s events, while World Athletics Inside Track will support the women’s events.
Inside Track is an online hub where fans can access exclusive content, especially those of female athletes.
The two sponsors will support the mixed 4x400m relay programme.
The Japanese company’s involvement goes beyond the special awards, as it has been an original sponsor of the World Athletics Championships since its inception 40 years ago. It has been the men’s bib sponsor for all 18 editions of the event, while new official partner NTN will be the bib sponsor for the women’s events in Budapest for this year’s renewal.
Over 2000 athletes from 200 countries will compete at the 2023 World Athletics Championships inside the National Athletics Centre starting on Saturday, and running through to Sunday, August 27.
The special world record award aside, World Athletics has announced a total of US$8.5 million in prize monies to be won.
IN individual events, gold medal winners will earn US$70,000; silver medal – US$35,000; bronze medal – US$22,000; fourth place – US$16,000; fifth place – US$11,000; sixth place – US$7,000; seventh place – US$6,000 and eighth place – US$5,000.
For relay events (per team), gold medal winners earn US$80,000; silver medal – US$40,000; bronze medal – US$20,000; fourth place – US$16,000; fifth place – US$12,000; sixth place – US$8,000;
Seventh place – US$6,000, and eighth place – US$4,000.
The payment of prize monies and bonuses is dependent upon the usual ratification process.
