Hunter Woodhall, a Paralympic champion, and his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall have joined the chorus of athletes voicing concern over the financial struggles faced by track and field stars. They have expressed their frustration about the mismanagement of the sport, which has led to athletes earning far less compared to their counterparts in other sports. Woodhall and Davis-Woodhall’s remarks align with those of prominent track athletes like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, who have been outspoken about the issue for years.
Track and field athletes often receive modest earnings from major competitions. For example, gold medalists at the World Championships are awarded $70,000, but these events only occur once every two years. In contrast, victories in the Diamond League, one of the sport’s premier series, typically offer a mere $10,000 per event. This is a stark contrast to the multi-million-dollar earnings of athletes in other sports, leading to frustration among track and field stars who feel their efforts and achievements are undervalued.
Woodhall and Davis-Woodhall highlighted the significant disparity between track and field and other sports with similar event formats. They pointed to Formula One as a prime example, where athletes participate in events that, in many ways, mirror the structure of track and field competitions. Both sports feature practice days, preliminary rounds, and finals, yet the financial rewards for F1 drivers are exponentially higher. While Formula One drivers can earn millions, track and field athletes often struggle to make ends meet.
Woodhall explained the similarities between the two sports: “If I explained to you a track meet and an F1 event without specifics of it, it would sound like the same thing. So, how come we do it so much worse than them?” Tara Davis-Woodhall added, emphasizing the physical toll on athletes, noting that track and field athletes are putting their bodies on the line, yet the compensation doesn’t reflect the risks and effort involved.
Formula One is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with its drivers earning substantial salaries and prize money. Woodhall pointed out that F1 drivers can win up to $160 million in total earnings, while the top prize for a track and field athlete is far less. Tara Davis-Woodhall further illustrated the disparity by comparing the earnings in track and field to those in Formula One, saying, “We get $160,000 in track and field.”
In response to these concerns, new events and initiatives have been introduced to help increase earnings for track and field athletes. One such event is Athlos, founded by Alexis Ohanian, which offers winners $60,000 in prize money. Michael Johnson has also launched the Grand Slam Track series, where each of the four legs will offer $100,000 to the winners. These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between track and field and other sports in terms of financial rewards.
World Athletics has also taken steps to address the issue by introducing the Ultimate Championships, set to debut in 2026. The Ultimate Championships will feature the largest prize money in the sport, with winners receiving $150,000. Additionally, the Diamond League has announced plans to increase its cash rewards starting this year.
Despite these efforts, the overall financial structure of track and field still lags behind other major sports. The disparity in earnings remains a pressing issue for athletes who are dedicated to their craft and deserve better financial recognition for their performances. The hope is that these new initiatives and changes will help to elevate the sport and ensure that track and field athletes are compensated fairly for their hard work and talent.
