It’s well known that athletics still has a long journey ahead before it reaches the popularity levels of sports like soccer and basketball. Along with the sport’s relatively modest fan base, even its stars are far from enjoying the same financial rewards as NBA or NFL celebrities. However, for passionate fans and athletes pursuing their track and field dreams in the United Kingdom, the situation may be even more challenging compared to other countries.

The World Athletics Road Running Championships will return next year, marking its debut in the USA. While road runners around the globe are deeply focused on their preparations for the event, British athletes have additional concerns on their minds.

Athletics connoisseurs in the UK face a new challenge

An article by Athletics Weekly from November 5 highlights how things in the UK have been bleak for athletes who aim to represent the country in “off-track” events. The shift in the athletics culture has been attributed to the “harsh financial realities” that have rocked the UK in recent years. According to the article, athletes who wish to represent Great Britain will have to dip “into their own pockets when it comes to a number of championship events in 2025.”

Among the events requiring athletes to dip into their own wallets to represent the country are the European and World Road Running Championships, the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, and the World 50km and 24-hour Championships, all scheduled for next year. However, the European Cross Country Championships in December will remain fully funded as usual. While it’s uncertain whether asking athletes to seek funding from other sources is sustainable, UK Athletics has its own challenges to address.

UKA Endurance Strategy Manager Chris Jones stated, “It’s not what anybody wants, saying you have to pay to represent Great Britain. The landscape has changed. However, as custodians of the sport, then we have a responsibility across the whole sport. That’s the challenge.” He elaborated further that any sustainable change in the situation would be welcomed with open arms. “If an investor came along, such as a sponsorship, [UKA CEO] Jack Buckner would totally back that area of the sport,” he said. However, the tough financial situation isn’t something new for the American track and field stars.

A situation not unfamiliar to the folks across the pond

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the World Athletics promised to pay a sum of $50,000 to the athletes who would win gold at the quadrennial tournament. And yet, when the American apex body announced its own $37,500 amount, fans were furious at how low it was. To make matters worse, the USA’s track celebrity Kenny Bednarek took to social media to highlight how dire things are for the athletes to bring their families with them to meets to ensure they’re not running short on support. “The cost to fly and accommodate my team at the trials and Olympics is pretty wild,” wrote Kung Fu Kenny, and his grumbling allegations found support from the World’s Fastest Man Noah Lyles himself.

However, thankfully, there have also been attempts to bring a change to the situation. Reddit co-founder and tennis legend Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian promised to pay gold medalists in Paris a hefty sum of $60,000 each out of his own pockets. That’s not all, his ambitious project Athlos NYC also sought to elevate women’s athletics in general by announcing another $60,000 to its winners. But will the UK Athletics see a similar move in the similar direction? What do you reckon? Tell us below!