Good news: Olympic Trials Prize Money is $300k per sex. Bad news this is the lowest amount ever in inflation adjusted $ for men

Precious Roy wrote:

USATF doesn't have to have big prize money because the athletes have no choice but to run the race to make the OGs. Also, the athletes that make the games will get sponsor bonuses and may also pick up new sponsors. So, why would sponsors put up big dollars when they are already obligated to give their athletes big dollars if they make the games?

What the trials prize money should really be doing is acting as a marathon development fund. If you are going to put more money into the prize purse, make the prize curve less steep and extend prize money out beyond the top 10. The top three are going to get paid well by their sponsors and have opportunities to get more sponsors. But the runners who end up in 3-20 are going to have a good shot at the next trials and moving up into bigger races with higher placing. Putting some real money in their pockets so they can have the resources to stay dedicated to the sport is something that the trials should be all about.