Bolt on Ultimate Championship prize money: Good for athletics, encourages athletes to show up and do the best

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt, the world record holder in 100m and 200m, has been brought on board as an ambassador for the inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt claimed 19 global titles in a storied career, but he wishes the kind of prize money on offer at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship from Friday had been available when he was competing.

Bolt got rich from appearance fees and endorsements off the track rather than prize money as he claimed treble sprint golds at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics, also picking up two 4x100m sprint titles.

At the world championships, the now 40-year-old won consecutive 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay golds medals from 2009-15, with the exception of 2011 when he false-started.

Importantly, the Jamaican, still the world record holder in the 100 and 200m, built up an off-track persona that combined a towering presence alongside his achievements that always ensured he was in high demand.

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Bolt brought down the curtain on his glittering career at the 2017 world championships in London and the gaping hole he left in track and field has never quite been filled.

But he has been brought on board as an ambassador for the inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest, a three-day biennial competition launched by World Athletics president Sebastian Coe as a season-ender for a year without a world championships or Olympic Games.

“I was happy when Seb explained to me that this is what we’re doing. It was a no brainer to be a part of it,” Bolt said of the Ultimate, with 28 disciplines delivered in a fast-paced, made-for-television format.

“I’m sad this is happening now! But I guess that’s just one of those things. I’m here to enjoy it and to promote it and just to let the world know that track and field is here to stay.

“We’re going to continue pushing and continue growing the sport itself to bigger and better things. I’m happy to be a part of this and it’s going to be great.”

Incentivising athletes

The Ultimate features an unprecedented USD 10 million prize money pot, with individual event winners collecting USD 150,000.

Should a sprinter win the 100m, 200m and relay in Budapest, it would make for an impressive payday.

“I was having a conversation with Asafa before I came here,” Bolt said of former Jamaican teammate Asafa Powell.

“We were actually talking about that same thing. I mean, jeez, we missed out on this cash prize!”

Bolt added: “I won a few championships and it still does not add up to all the cash.

“So, it’s big. I think it’s good for the sport and it incentivises athletes to come out here and do the best, to show up and to be ready.

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“This is a job for us. This is what we do. So, it’s sad I missed out on it but I’m happy for the athletes.”

Coe’s ground-breaking move to award prize money to track and field gold medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics ruffled some feathers.

While the unilateral decision sparked a backlash from within the International Olympic Committee, Bolt argued that it was essential.

“We put such big weight on the Olympics,” he said. “I fully agree that athletes should be compensated for what they do.

“It’s work. Yes, you’re competing for your country, but you’re putting your body on the line.”

Turning to the Ultimate, Bolt said he would have loved to compete.

“If you follow my career you know that’s what I’m about,” he said.

“For me, I’m about competing against the best. I always show up when it matters.

“I’m excited because with the Ultimate Championship, you know that the 16 people that show up are the best in the world no matter what event they’re doing.

“I live for this moment, I live for competition, it’s something that I always strive for, so definitely it will be something that I look at as big as an Olympics as a world championships, for sure.”

Published on Sep 10, 2026

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