Earlier this week, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, a former Zimbabwean Olympic Gold Medal swimmer, officially opposed compensating Olympic athletes.
Coventry has since published a statement amid substantial public outrage of the statements, posting the following to the “athlete365” Instagram account:
Some of you may have noticed social media reports concerning an interview I gave during my visit to New Zealand, in which I discussed awarding prise money to athletes. When I was asked about it on TV, I didn’t say the words “prise money” – my error; lesson learned.
Yes, I have always stated that I do not agree in paying athletes prise money at the Olympic Games since it would help only a tiny group of athletes. I believe that our duty as the IOC is to discover ways to directly support a large number of athletes on their path to become Olympians, during the Olympics, and as they transition into life after sport.
As a former athlete, I am 100% devoted to discovering new ways to personally support athletes on their path.
Coventry explained that her original statements were about prise money specifically, rather than athlete compensation in general, and that she misspoke by not repeating the words “prise money” on tape. However, the distinction did little to soothe the uproar, as prise money was fundamental to the public’s and Olympic athletes’ dissatisfaction with her original comments, and several Olympians spoke out in the post’s comments section.
Cameron McEvoy, Australia’s reigning Olympic champion and newly minted world record holder in the men’s 50m freestyle, wrote, “If every athlete who competes at the Olympics is paid $10k as an appearance fee, and every gold/silver/bronze earns 100K/60K/25K (including individuals on teams), that would be around $180 million – which is only 1.5% of the IOC’s quadrennial revenue ($12 billion).” For reference, the NBA shares 50% of its revenue with its players. You can have prise money and pay all athletes to aid those who aren’t at the very top while still being really comfortable with your massive revenue.”
Matt Richards, the 2023 World Champion and 2024 Olympic silver medalist in the 200 free, who has helped Team GB win back-to-back 4×200 free relay golds at the last two Olympic Games, also spoke out.
“Clarifying ‘prise money’ does not change the reality @officialkirstycoventry – Rule 40 already restricts athletes from monetizing their own name and likeness during the Games, and now you’re confirming there’s no plan for direct financial upside…” As a result, the organisation makes billions of dollars off athlete performances, while the athletes themselves hope that a sponsor acknowledges them. This assertion does not change the fact that the people who create all of the value are the only ones who do not benefit from it.
Lucca Dotto, Lisa Curry, Josha Salchow, Sally Pearson, Lewis Clareburt, and Dan Wallace were among the Olympians who weighed in under the post.
Separately, Coventry reinforced the International Olympic Committee’s plans to reduce the number of sports at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Coventry told the Associated Press that “there is a path (back), it’s not just an end,” for the sports that are eventually dropped from future Olympics.
For perspective, Brisbane’s proposal had 28 sports, but it was submitted after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which also featured 28 sports. However, the LA 2028 Games are presently scheduled for 36, with the Local Organising Committee implementing five additional sports: softball and baseball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash.
Coventry’s Background
Coventry was elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in March 2025, making her the first woman to hold the position.
Coventry was a five-time Olympian during her illustrious swimming career, beginning at the 2000 Games in Sydney and won Olympic gold in the women’s 200 backstroke in 2004, as well as silver in the 100 back and bronze in the 200 IM in Athens.
She went on to defend her gold medal in the 200 back in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, adding three additional silvers in the 100 back, 200 IM, and 400 IM. She also competed in the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2016 Games in Rio before announcing her retirement.
Coventry was also a three-time LC world champion, having won the 100 and 200 back in 2005 and recovering the 200 back title in 2009. She won five medals at the 2008 Short Course World Championships, four of which were gold: 100 back, 200 back, 200 IM, and 400 IM.
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