Legend Usain Bolt marvels at prize money on eve of inaugural Ultimate Championship

BUDAPEST – Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprint legend, has expressed astonishment and excitement at the unprecedented prize money at the upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Bolt said if he were still competing, he would be the first in line to take part. The inaugural championship promises a revolution in structure and commerce for world athletics. With a prize pot touted as the largest in the sport's history, individual winners will receive $150,000, and the winning relay team will split $80,000. Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, marveled: "I wish I was still competing. This is the money athletes have long deserved." The Ultimate Championship is designed with a new format: each event features only the world's top 16 athletes competing in a direct final, with no heats or semifinals. This streamlines the schedule, reduces downtime, and increases drama. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described the championship as an "incubator for change" for the future of the sport. Coe stated the event was "created with and by the fans, with and by the athletes." Alongside Bolt, active stars such as Noah Lyles (USA, Olympic 100m champion) and Mondo Duplantis (Sweden, pole vault world record holder) have confirmed their attendance. Lyles, known for his sharp fashion sense, is expected to wear a special outfit designed by a sponsor. Meanwhile, Duplantis will not only compete but also perform the event's theme song "Gold" – an intriguing personal brand expansion. However, analysts question the impact of the event on the existing athletics ecosystem. Adding a major event in a year traditionally considered an off-year after the Olympics or World Championships could pressure athletes' schedules. Without careful planning, there is a real risk of top stars burning out or choosing this event over the Diamond League. Furthermore, the selection criteria for the 16 athletes per event have not been detailed. Is it based on world rankings, season performances, or wild cards? Experts worry that an opaque selection mechanism could lead to controversy, especially with such large prize money at stake. Nevertheless, World Athletics insists the Ultimate Championship will be a catalyst to attract younger audiences and new sponsors to athletics. In an increasingly crowded sports market with football, basketball, and esports, this could be a bold move to help athletics regain its standing. Will the championship succeed or remain a lavish spectacle? The answer will be revealed as the first strides echo on the Budapest track.