World 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet won Kenya’s first two gold medals at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Chebet won the first gold medal on Monday night, August 5, at the Stade de France after finishing with a winning time of 14:28.56, edging out compatriot Faith Kipyegon.
Faith Kipyegon, who initially finished second with a time of 14:29.60, faced disqualification for obstruction.
However, following a successful appeal by Kenya to World Athletics, Kipyegon was reinstated to her second-place position.
Beatrice Chebet once again raced to victory in the women’s 10,000m at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday, August 9, claiming her second gold of the Games.
She finished ahead of Italy’s Nadia Battocletti and Dutch star Sifan Hassan, who won silver and bronze, respectively.
In addition to her 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals, Beatrice Chebet will receive a substantial paycheck.
For the first time in Olympic history, gold medalists in athletics will earn prize money. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not offered direct prize money for Olympics throughout the history of the competition.
But the World Athletics (WA) announced this groundbreaking change on April 10, ending a 128-year tradition by introducing prize money for track and field gold medalists at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Also Read: Faith Kipyegon Gets Back Her Medal After Appeal
WA President Sebastian Coe stated that the introduction of prize money for Olympic gold medalists marks a pivotal moment for World Athletics and the sport as a whole.
Additionally, he said that the move underscores their commitment to empowering athletes and recognizing the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic games.
Beatrice Chebet to Pocket Ksh18.9 million
A prize pool of $2.4 million (Ksh. 312,3 million) was set aside by WA from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) revenue share allocation it receives every four years to reward athletes.
Athletes who win gold in each of the 48 track and field events in Paris including Chebet will receive $50,000 (Ksh 6.45 million).
Relay teams will also share the same amount among their athletes. Traditionally, Olympic medal winners did not receive prize money as the event originated as an amateur competition.
While the prize money is only for gold medalists, WA said that it is committed to extending the bonus initiative to Olympic silver and bronze medalists at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
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President William Ruto had on July 12 directed former Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba to fast-track the new rates that will also see Olympic medalists rewarded higher.
Under the new arrangement by the government, gold medalists are rewarded with Ksh3 million, up from Ksh1 million, silver medallists Ksh2 million (up from Ksh1m) and bronze medalists Ksh750,000 (up from Ksh500,000).
In addition to the Ksh 12.9 million that Beatrice Chebet will earn from the WA, she will receive an additional Ksh6 million from the Kenyan government, totaling Ksh 9.45 million.
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