The International Golf Federation [IGF] took a firm stand against any financial compensation for golfers competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Upholding the IGF’s integrity of conduct rules, this ruling ensures participants neither directly nor indirectly receive any form of payment tied to the event.
In contrast, World Athletics, the international athletic governing body, has made a historic move by announcing that it will award prize money to track and field athletes at the Olympic Games for the first time in 128 years. But the initiative exclusively targets track and field events and does not extend to golf .
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, gold medal-winning athletes in the 48 track and field events will receive $50,000 each from World Athletics. Relay teams will be awarded $50,000 as a group, with the prize money to be split among team members. The federation has set aside a $2.4 million prize pot.
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Despite this groundbreaking move by World Athletics, the IGF remains firm in its stance against payment for golfers. Section B, Article 3 of the IGF's Paris golf regulations explicitly states: "Participants must not, directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or offer any form of remuneration or commission, nor any concealed benefit or service of any nature, connected with any IGF Event or Competition."
The IGF's regulations define "benefit" as the direct or indirect receipt or provision of money or its equivalent, including bribes, gains, gifts, and other advantages. The definition excludes official prize money, appearance fees, or payments under sponsorship or other contracts.
The regulation ensures that Olympic golfers compete without any financial incentives tied to their participation. The IGF has also clarified that individual golfers will be responsible for paying their caddies. Caddies can be from any nation, and their fees must be agreed upon before the competition starts. The men's golf competition will begin on Aug. 1, while the women's competition will start on Aug. 7.
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While payments won’t be made directly to golfers, the conditions for competing in the Olympics state that golfers may not enter the Olympics with any financial considerations except for payments established concerning their Olympic team. For instance, the United States medal payouts for the 2024 Paris Olympics will see Gold medal winners earn $37,500, Silver Medal winners get $22,500, and Bronze medalists get $15,000 regardless of sport.
Instead of traditional purse systems, Olympic golfers will compete for other prestigious rewards. The top prize is winning a coveted Olympic medal, awarded every four years, and holds immense prestige. This year, the gold medals will feature a piece of the Eiffel Tower embedded inside , adding a unique touch .
Winning a gold medal also has significant benefits for a golfer’s career. In 2025, gold medalists will secure invitations to all major golf tournaments, providing invaluable opportunities to compete at the highest levels of the sport. They will also earn world ranking points, which are crucial for players, especially the seven players in the games on tours like LIV Golf that do not award such points .
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