IAAF reveals prize fund: Athletics

If Michael Johnson can match his record-breaking Olympic double at this year's World Championships in Athens, he will collect $220,000 (pounds 125,000). Prize-money is to be paid at the world event for the first time this year.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation gave details yesterday of the $11m it plans to hand out in prize-money during 1997. The figures include $7.785m for major championships, including the world outdoor championships, in Athens and the world indoor championships in Paris.

At the last two world outdoor championships, winners were given a luxury Mercedes car. The gold medallists in Athens will be guaranteed $60,000 in cash with $30,000 and $20,000 for second and third-placed athletes. World records in Athens will also be worth an extra $100,000.