MILAN — International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry stated in a June 2026 interview that she opposes paying prize money to Olympic athletes. Coventry, an Olympic champion swimmer from Zimbabwe, made the remarks during a conversation with New Zealand’s Sport Nation.
“I don’t believe in paying athletes.” Coventry said. “I come from a small country, I came from a sport that doesn’t necessarily pay athletes very well and I still don’t think we should be paying athletes at the Olympic Games.” Coventry later clarified on the IOC’s Instagram athlete portal that her comments referred specifically to prize money, not broader athlete support.
Coventry stated she has always been opposed to Olympic prize money because it would benefit only a small number of athletes. Instead, she emphasized the IOC’s role in supporting a larger group throughout their careers. “I am absolutely committed to finding more ways to directly support athletes on their journey,” she said, noting that the IOC seeks to assist athletes before, during, and after the Games.
The IOC provides funding through its Olympic Solidarity program, which disbursed approximately $40 million in scholarships to 1,560 athletes from 195 countries ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Coventry noted that Olympians receive venues, villages, and experiences funded by IOC revenue. “Olympians get beautiful venues. They get beautiful villages. They get a beautiful experience. And all of that comes from the money that we raise.” She added, “Now, if the entire movement wants us to change, we would have not as many countries, we’d have not many sports, we’d be very particular on what that would look like. I don’t think that’s the Olympic Games and I don’t think the Olympic movement thinks that’s the Olympic Games.”
Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy responded on Instagram that awarding $10,000 per athlete as an appearance fee plus up to $100,000 for medalists would amount to about 1.5% of the IOC’s quadrennial revenue. “For reference the NBA has a 50% revenue share with the players. You can have prize money and pay all athletes to help those who aren’t are the absolute top and still be extremely comfortable with your boatloads of revenue.”
Great Britain’s Matthew Richards also criticized the IOC’s restrictions on athletes monetizing their name and likeness during the Games. “The IOC generates billions from athlete performances while the athletes themselves are left hoping a sponsor notices them. This statement doesn’t change the fact that the people creating all the value are the only ones not sharing in it.” While national Olympic committees such as those of the U.S., Australia, and Hong Kong already offer medal bonuses, Coventry maintained that the Olympic model prioritizes broad-based support over individual payouts.