Athletics has become the first sport to offer prize money to Olympic champions, announcing that the 48 gold medallists in Paris this year will earn $50,000 each to end a 128-year tradition.

Although the concept of purely amateur competition has long since disappeared from the modern Olympics with athletes often receiving payments from sponsors and professionals taking part for years, the World Athletics (WA) decision is a major shift.

WA President, Sebastian Coe, said there had been no discussion with the International Olympic Committee, only that his organisation had given the IOC a heads-up shortly before announcing the $2.4 million prize pot.

“While it is impossible to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, or on the commitment and focus it takes to even represent your country at an Olympic Games, it is important we make sure some of the revenues generated by our athletes are directly returned to those who make the Games the global spectacle that it is,” Coe told reporters.

“I don’t believe this is remotely at variance with the concept that the IOC often talks about, which is recognising the efforts that our competitors make for the overall success of the Games.”

Norway’s Olympic 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm welcomed the news.

“I think it’s good so I want to salute them for it,” Warholm said in an interview. “It doesn’t change my motivation to win because for the Olympics I’m not in it for the money. The gold medal is worth a lot more to me personally.”

The IOC said it was up to each International Federation (IF) and National Olympic Committee (NOC) to determine how to best serve their athletes and the development of their sports.

“The IOC redistributes 90% of all its income, in particular to the NOCs and IFs. This means that, every day, the equivalent of $4.2 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world,” the ruling body said.

A total of $540 million was allocated to the 28 sports at the Tokyo Games, with World Athletics receiving the most at $40 million.

Paris Saint-Germain boss, Luis Enrique has reflected on their 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

Raphinha opened the scoring at the Parc des Princes, but the hosts went in front thanks to goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.

Barca levelled the game through another Raphinha goal, before Andreas Christensen headed in the winner.

Enrique, speaking to TNT Sports, said: “It was a pity because I think we started the match properly and in a good mood. Disappointing after we conceded the goal.

“Second half started in the best way but suddenly we suffered the second goal. We created some chances but for us it’s a pity.

“There’s still the spirit to go to Barcelona and try to win.

“Sometimes you have to change things and it happens just when we draw the match, we created more chances. The team was at a high level at that moment. But they are a good team.”

World No 1 Novak Djokovic made an emphatic start at the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-1 6-2 win over Russia’s Roman Safiullin to ease into the third round in a rain-delayed day three on Tuesday.

Djokovic, who pulled out of the recent Miami Open as he tries to balance his schedule, looked fresh as he broke Safiullin’s serve three times in the opening set and a further two breaks in the second was enough to seal the win.

“I think even the games that I lost I had break points in those games. It is a really great first match at the start of the clay season,” he said.

On Sunday, Djokovic overtook Roger Federer as the oldest No 1 ranked singles player in ATP rankings history, at 36 years and 321 days.

“I met (Rohan) Bopanna yesterday, who is the oldest doubles No 1 in history. He said we had a combined age of 80, but he does contribute to the 80 more than I do,” Djokovic joked.

Musetti defeated Djokovic at the third round stage last year.

“Last year as well, I started off well at this tournament and the second match I lost, so I hope to maintain this rhythm,” Djokovic added.

German fifth seed Alexander Zverev made light work of his second round match, defeating Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-4.

[DailyTrust]

Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal to learn from their costly mistakes in Tuesday’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich if they want to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Arteta’s side ensured their quarter-final clash remains finely balanced thanks to Leandro Trossard’s late equaliser in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s old tormentor-in-chief Harry Kane had ignored a hostile reception from Gunners fans to mark his return to north London with the ice-cool penalty that put Bayern 2-1 up in the first half.

Former Tottenham striker Kane’s sixth career goal at the Emirates came after ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s early opener for the Gunners.

It was a frustrating evening for Arsenal, who looked hesitant at times in their first Champions League quarter-final since 2010.

The Premier League leaders have been in red-hot form in 2024, while Bayern have stumbled through a crisis-torn campaign.

But Arsenal’s status as favourites to advance to the last four was undone by some uncharacteristically sloppy defending.

Arteta urged his players to use the experience as a valuable tool to make amends in the second leg in Munich on April 17.

“We will go again in Munich. We are alive. The game became difficult and they understand they have to step up the level,” he said.

“We have made some mistakes today. Lets learn from it. These players have been unbelievable. It’s part of football. Lets support them.

“I sense the belief there. We are going to go to Munich and have a chance to win it. We’re going to be better in certain areas and that’s how we are going to prepare it.”

Arteta admitted Bayern’s impressive first half had rattled his team, but he was impressed with the way they regained their composure after the interval.

– ‘Crazy situation’ –

“The second goal created some insecurity in the team but after we reacted well. It’s easy to throw your toys away when things don’t go right,” he said.

“The subs, especially Leandro and Gabriel (Jesus), made a huge impact with their body language and the initiative they took to make things happen.”

Saka was convinced he should have been awarded a penalty in the final seconds when Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer appeared to make contact with the Arsenal winger.

But replays suggested Saka had initiated the contact and Arteta refused to be drawn on the controversy, saying only that he “hadn’t seen the image again” and “can’t change” the decision.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel bemoaned a separate penalty incident that didn’t go his side’s way.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes inexplicably picked up the ball following a David Raya goal-kick in the 66th minute.

Yet Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg opted against awarding a spot-kick.

“I know it was a crazy situation. They put the ball down, he whistles and the defender takes the ball with his hands,” Tuchel said.

“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a ‘kid’s mistake’ and he won’t give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarter-final.

“It’s a horrible explanation. Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake, whatever. We feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”

A crucial miss by Leroy Sane — who allowed Ben White to get back to tackle him after he ran clear on goal — stopped the six-time European champions going 3-1 up in the first half.

But after a traumatic season that leaves Bayern almost certain to surrender the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen, Tuchel could have few complaints about his side’s battling display.

“It wasn’t easy, especially after we conceded early. The Arsenal fans were incredible, they pushed them. We scored with our first attack and the body language and confidence changed.

“Next week we will have the decision. It is only half-time.”

[Vanguard]