Ultimate Athletics Championship launched with richest prize pool in history

World Athletics officially announced a new competition called the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, set to take place in Budapest. The highlight is the largest prize pool in athletics history, with $150,000 per individual event and $80,000 per relay team. Legend Usain Bolt expressed admiration for the prize money, saying if he were still competing, he would be first in line. 'This is what athletics athletes have long deserved,' Bolt said. The championship will feature 16 of the world's best athletes per event in a straight-final format without qualifying rounds. The schedule is streamlined to reduce downtime and enhance TV appeal. A notable innovation is the mixed 4x100m relay, a first in world athletics. Olympic champion Noah Lyles confirmed his attendance, sharing his fashion style on the track. Meanwhile, pole vault world record holder Mondo Duplantis will perform the theme song 'Gold' which he composed himself. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated that the event was designed 'with the fans and with the athletes' and sees it as an incubator for future changes. Some experts question whether athletes need another major event in a year traditionally free after the Olympics. Nevertheless, with record prize money, the Ultimate Championship promises to attract significant attention.