Track and Field Fans Drag Caitlin Clark’s Name Into “Disrespectful Athlete Payout” at US Olympic Trials

The US Olympic Trials are set to kick off in a few days determining the athletes who will represent the country in Paris. Recently on June 18th the prize money, for the trials was announced. Travis Miller provided an update on this outlining how the prizes will be distributed. The winner will receive $11,000. Then $8,800, $6,600, $4,400, $3,400, and $2,200 respectively for the ranks thereafter. Additionally, both seventh and eighth places will be awarded $1,100 each. However, this announcement seems to have left track and field athletes dissatisfied. Nevertheless, it gave rise to the Caitlin Clark Paris Olympic controversy and money disparity once again.

Fans desired to see Caitlin in Paris, juxtaposed with her exclusion from the team, which sparked intense debates among fans at that time. However, her absence from training camps, due to scheduling conflicts with the NCAA tournament, presented a substantial challenge for Clark’s Paris-dream. Nevertheless, with the recent unveiling of the prize money distribution, fans once again turned their attention to Caitlin.

One fan cynically remarked, “Maybe Caitlin Clark needs to run track so they can get paid “sarcasm,” highlights the disparity in earnings between sports.  This sarcasm stems from the perception that Caitlin Clark’s immense popularity, boasting 2.5 million followers on Instagram and a reported net worth of $3.8 million as of this year, her WNBA salary of approximately $1,913 per game is comparatively modest.

This observation is particularly striking when considering the prize distribution in track and field events like the Olympic Trials, which are regarded as major competitions preceding Paris. Even though athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson are prominent in track and field, discussions about equitable pay for athletes often involve Caitlin’s name.

When examining Sha’Carri Richardson, her form, strength, and record-breaking speed have rightfully positioned her as the fastest woman in the world. Her achievements at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, including a time of 10.65 seconds in the Women’s 100 meters and a time of 41.03 seconds in the Women’s 4×100 meter relay, have solidified her status as a track and field legend, drawing comparisons to the legendary Flo Jo.

With a staggering following of 3.1 million on Instagram, Richardson’s popularity is undeniable. However, despite her immense success and lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Sprite, Nike, Beats by Dre, Olay, Danone Oikos, and more, her net worth is estimated to be between $1 million to $5 million. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing disparity in compensation for athletes, with fans still advocating for better pay for athletes like Caitlin Clark. But this conversation didn’t stop here only.

Track and Field Community invites Noah Lyles’ opinion

As fans discussed the insufficient prize money, one raised the question, “Wonder how much money the trials make from these same athletes,” hinting at the disparity between earnings and expenses. This highlights the financial challenges athletes face, as their earnings may not cover expenses like lodging, flights, and car rentals.

Another fan expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “This is trash honestly. $10k for WINNING the Olympic trials?” Prize money has long been a contentious issue in track and field, even with World Athletics’ announcement in April of substantial awards for Olympic gold medalists in Paris, including $50,000 for winners in each of the 48 events (with relay teams sharing the prize). However, many athletes, like Justin Gatlin, expressed frustration at the relatively low sum, with Gatlin remarking, “50k for a life-changing moment? They can’t buy a car nor a house with 50k, it should be at least double the World Championship.”

Another fan chimed in with a similar tone, stating, “That’s it?! That’s not enough!” Similarly, another fan echoed this sentiment, adding, “It is nice that winners (top 8) are getting paid. I would say $11,000 for 1st place is too low. A USA winner would typically be top in the world for many of the events.” These expressions of dissatisfaction shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding prize money in track and field.

Meanwhile, another fan brought Noah Lyles to the picture. For a long time, he has voiced that the sport lacks attention and marketing. “@LylesNoah are you going to shed light on this? You ARE the face of track and field. These digits are just way too low. It’s actually kind of disrespectful to the athletes….”

Just a few days back, before the NYC Grand Prix 2024, Lyles had shared his thoughts on the challenges faced by athletes. Referring to that, Noah had said, “I know it is very hard for us to be able to save for retirement when we don’t have a 401K.” On the other hand, Kenny Bednarek highlighted the financial strain of flying to compete in Paris, emphasizing the difficulties faced by athletes in pursuing their Olympic dreams.

While the announcement of monetary awards for top performers is appreciated, many fans and athletes believe that the amounts offered are inadequate, considering the significance of the Olympic Trials and the dedication required to excel at this level. What are your views on it? Comment below.