Legend Usain Bolt 'stunned' by prize money of new athletics championship: 'I would have signed up immediately if I were still competing'

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has shared surprising thoughts about the record prize money of the upcoming Ultimate Championship athletics tournament, organized by World Athletics. Speaking at a pre-event press conference, Bolt could not hide his excitement, revealing that he 'would be the first in line to sign up' if he were still competing at the elite level. This new championship promises a revolution in prize structure. Each individual event winner will receive $150,000, while winning relay teams share $80,000 — the highest payout in athletics history, roughly double that of traditional World Championships. Bolt stated, 'This number is truly shocking. Me and Asafa (Powell) used to say that if such prize money existed in our prime, athletics would have attracted more athletes. The current generation is lucky.' However, behind the excitement lie tactical subtleties. The Ultimate Championship features a unique format: each event features only the world's 16 best athletes competing in a single final — no qualifiers, no semifinals. This means champions need not demonstrate endurance over multiple rounds but only a single peak performance. One of the most debated aspects is the relay prize structure. With $80,000 shared among four athletes, each receives only about $20,000 — one-seventh of an individual winner's payout. This disparity could demotivate relay teams, especially as superstars like Noah Lyles and Mondo Duplantis specialize in individual events. Additionally, scheduling this high-profile event in 2026 — traditionally a recovery year after the Paris 2026 Olympics — raises questions about athlete calendars. Are they willing to sacrifice rest to chase big paychecks? Or is this merely a commercial playground for those already at peak form? Noah Lyles, Olympic 100m champion, is among the brightest names expected to compete. His presence brings both hope for US athletics and immense pressure, especially in the 200m where African and European athletes are rising strongly. Mondo Duplantis, world record holder in pole vault, also draws attention by not only competing but also composing and performing the event anthem 'Gold'. This is a smart personal branding move, but will it impact his competitive focus? Veteran Dawn Harper-Nelson, 2026 Olympic 100m hurdles champion, has been invited as a commentator. Her presence adds professional depth and strategic insights from real competition experience, helping audiences understand tactical traps on the track. Crucially, the athlete selection mechanism remains unclear. With only 16 slots per event, ensuring 'the world's 16 best' depends entirely on the invitation and selection process. If criteria rely on world rankings, form athletes without sufficient accumulated points risk exclusion. If wildcards are used, fairness questions arise. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe asserts the championship was 'created with and by the fans, with and by the athletes.' Yet experts remain skeptical as no evidence of community or athlete union consultation has been provided. Regardless, with huge prize money and innovative format, the Ultimate Championship promises to be either a powerful boost for global athletics or an unmissable commercial spectacle. Will athletes truly 'trade' their careers for big paychecks? Or is this just a short-term game before real sport speaks? Only time and ranking tables will tell.