World record breakers to get bonus of $100,000

Mumbai, Aug 18: With setting of world records at a premium in its flagship event, world athletics body IAAF announced a special bonus of USD 100,000 for breaking old marks in the upcoming 15th edition of the World Championships to be held at Beijing from August 22-30.

"Setting a world record at an IAAF World Championships is an extremely rare feat. In fact, in the 32-year history of the event, barely 20 world records have been posted making the accomplishment one well worth rewarding," the IAAF said in a media release.

"For the 15th edition of the IAAF's flagship event, set to be staged in Beijing from 22-30 August, the IAAF is proud to present its World Record Programme where athletes achieving a world record will be eligible for a special world record bonus worth USD 100,000 with the support of IAAF partners TDK (men's events) and Toyota (women's events)," the world athletics body said.

"The performance must be an improvement on the existing IAAF World Record. Performances which equal the existing IAAF World Record will not be eligible for a World Record Award," the release clarified.

"The last World Record Award to be presented was to the Jamaican 4x100m quartet at the 2011 World Championships, who shared USD 100,000 after running a 37.04 and trimming 0.06 from the time the Jamaican quartet set when striking gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics," it further said.

"The payment of prize money and bonuses is dependent upon the usual ratification process, including athletes clearing the relevant anti-doping procedures," the release added.

PTI