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

Athletics legend Usain Bolt expressed astonishment at the record prize money of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. The event promises to reshape the landscape of track and field with the richest prize pot in the sport's history. Speaking at a pre-event press conference, Bolt said: "If I were still competing, I would have been first in line." He noted that the prize money – $150,000 for individual events and $80,000 per relay team – is a significant step toward better compensating athletes. Bolt also revealed previous discussions with Asafa Powell about historical underpayment of Jamaican sprinters. The championship features the 16 best athletes per event in a straight-final format to maximize drama and eliminate downtime. A notable innovation is the mixed 4x100m relay, a format not seen in traditional world championships. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated the event was "created with and by the fans, with and by the athletes," aiming to produce a more compelling media product. Current stars Noah Lyles and Mondo Duplantis also attended. Lyles appeared as a participant and fashion focal point, while Duplantis – the world record holder in pole vault – wrote and performed the official anthem "Gold." Olympic champion Dawn Harper-Nelson joined as broadcast talent. However, some analysts question the event's sustainability given it occupies a year traditionally reserved for rest and base-building. The high prize money could pressure the Diamond League calendar and create scheduling conflicts. Nevertheless, with Bolt's endorsement and top star participation, the Ultimate Championship promises to revolutionize how athletics is organized and commercialized.