Bolt marvels at record prize money on eve of inaugural Ultimate Championship

Legendary sprinter Usain Bolt has expressed astonishment at the unprecedented prize money for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary. In a conversation with fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell, Bolt said he would have been 'first in line' to compete if still active. The event boasts the 'richest prize pot in athletics history', with $150,000 for individual winners and $80,000 for relay teams. However, analysts note that a sprinter winning both 100m and 200m plus the relay could earn up to $320,000, not the suggested $230,000. The championship features a straight-final format with only 16 athletes per event, eliminating rounds and shifting focus from endurance to single-effort peak output. This raises questions about athletes' readiness in a traditionally off-year calendar. Stars Noah Lyles and Mondo Duplantis appear in non-competitive contexts, while World Athletics President Sebastian Coe calls the event an 'incubator for change'. The competition structure and selection criteria remain unclear, posing risks of commercial bias. The Ultimate Championship challenges the Diamond League and continental calendars, potentially diluting traditional events despite its attractive prize pool.