On Saturday in Eugene, Oregon, the stage was set for the grand finale of the Diamond League, the world’s premier athletic competition. On September 16th, all eyes in the sporting world were fixed on the 100-meter races, where athletes pushed their limits to the extreme. In the men’s 100m, the formidable Christian Coleman held off a charging Noah Lyles to claim the coveted title, stopping the clock at an astonishing 9.83 seconds.

Meanwhile, in the women’s 100m, Shericka Jackson, a two-time 200m world champion, triumphed in a nail-biting race, clocking an impressive 10.70 seconds. Her victory over long-time leader Marie-Josee Ta Lou, Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, and the formidable Sha’Carri Richardson added to the electrifying atmosphere. However, beyond the excitement of these remarkable athletic feats, a fiery debate was ignited online. At the forefront of this heated discussion was none other than the legendary sprinter Michael Johnson.

Michael Johnson ignites a fiery debate on Diamond League

Michael Johnson, took to X (Twitter) to share his candid thoughts on the contentious issue that had stirred the athletics world. In a powerful statement, Johnson reposted a post from Travis Miller who had shared the prize amount breakdown and Johnson declared, “A 100m world champ, a 100m hurdles medalist, and a javelin world champs finalist would each have a completely different view on this prize money.”

The crux of the debate centered around the prize money offered by the Diamond League. The amounts awarded—$30,000 for the winner, $12,000 for the runner-up, and descending values for subsequent places—raised more than a few eyebrows. The controversy surrounding the prize money exposed the stark contrast between the athletes’ dedication and the compensation they received. While some argued that the prestige of competing in the Diamond League should be a sufficient reward, others passionately advocated for a more equitable distribution of the earnings.

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Thousand chime in debating the controversial prize money

As the debate raged on, thousands of fans joined Michael Johnson in voicing their opinions on social media platforms, adding their voices to the chorus of discontent.

One fan lamented,

Another urged action, saying,

On the contrary, some defended the uniformity of the prize money distribution, highlighting,

Comparisons with other sports, such as tennis, where prize money at major tournaments is astronomical, further fueled the debate. Fans pointed out the glaring discrepancy, with one stating,

In the midst of these varied perspectives, one fan summarized noting,

Read more: “Made a Great Comeback”: After Losing to Jamaicans, Sha’Carri Richardson Makes Fans Drool Over Her All ‘Natural’ Look

As the dust settles on the 2023 Diamond League season, the controversy surrounding prize money lingers. What are your thoughts? Do you believe the current prize money distribution adequately reflects the dedication and excellence of these athletes? Comment Below!

Watch this story: Moments Before the Eugene Diamond League, Sha’Carri Richardson, Earns Respect with Her Modesty Towards Her Rivals