BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said on Friday that awarding prize money to athletes was not a one-size-fits-all solution, urging broader discussions on financial welfare as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prepares to elect a new president next week.

Coe, one of the seven candidates seeking to succeed outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach, made the remarks during an online interview with news agencies. IOC members will elect a new president at the IOC Session in Greece on March 20.

Last year, World Athletics announced 50,000-U.S.-dollar rewards for track and field gold medalists at the Paris Olympics - a first for the sport - alongside proposals for expanded career and financial support systems.

Coe clarified the move aimed to address specific challenges, such as retaining athletes' transferable skills that can lead them to recruitment by other disciplines. He stressed that it was aimed to make the sport more professional and provide incentives for athletes to stay, but it was not a one-size-fits-all solution.

"The prize money was just a small element of what we should be considering for the financial welfare of athletes," Coe said.

He called for more discussions on how to create true commercial partners for athletes, including sharing more data and assets that could help them attract sponsors.

"We routinely share data with various organizations such as our Olympic committees, international federations and organizing committees, but not with the athletes. This data is crucial for their commercial teams to identify potential sponsors," he added.

Coe believed that financial well-being should be considered as a third pillar of athlete welfare, alongside mental and physical health.

While prize money has dominated headlines, Coe cautioned against viewing it as the sole solution, adding that IOC leadership must foster collaboration. "I would encourage a more in-depth discussion about all aspects of athlete financial welfare. No one should assume that if I become president of the IOC, everyone will get prize money overnight. It's a collaborative discussion we need to have," he stated.

Coe, a two-time Olympic 1,500-meter gold medalist, also linked organizational values to financial accountability. "Your values must be at the heart," he said. "I'm not impressed by organizations that just tell you their values. You see their true priorities in their balance sheets."

With days remaining before the election, Coe likened the campaign's final stretch to preparing for an Olympic race. "I'm in the finishing straight but not out of the call room yet," he said. "I focus on what I can do and leave the rest to the membership." Enditem

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