Athletics Thread (General/World)

[Atithee]

What was at stake at this race? Any Olympic quota, championship season ranking points, big money?

[Mugundan]

Seems somewhat speculative. Looks like the prize money is only for gold medalists. Those that are gold medal contenders are likely already somewhat well funded and tested, so it seems unlikely that this would be a bigger incentive to dope (since the gold medal will likely be stripped away if they are caught doping). For example, most of the doping in India is to get government jobs and perhaps international travel and those incentives remain the same irrespective of the gold medal prize money award.

The focus in this report was on Kenyans and perhaps other African athletes who are also in desperate need of sponsorships and finances. As for India, the doping part could come in gaining qualification rather than aiming for Olympic gold. Contrary to what many believe, a large majority of the elite level Indian athletes (say around 95 per cent) are employed in the public sector (Railways, Services, Police, Oil companies, State Govts, Telephones, Postal, FC etc). They may dope in order to qualify for the Olympics and/or to get into the Indian team. Success at the Olympics would fetch them crores of prizes, land, cars etc apart from promotions in their jobs.
The prize money for Olympics has been announced only for gold medalists for Paris. For Los Angeles, the present proposal is to give the prize money to all the medallists. Right now, the quantum of prize money for 2028 has not been determined.

[Atithee]

^^The prize money and points have been forfeited. The Kenyans claimed they were pacesetters and the sponsor had informed the organizers beforehand. Apparently, it didn’t happen and the Chinese couldn’t set the record either.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/19/china/ch ... index.html

[prasen9]

Pacesetters should not be awarded medals if they are going to let people pass.

[Atithee]

Have no idea. I think cycling (tour de France) has a team setting the pace for their main person but they themselves probably never enter the hunt.