Athletes who shatter world records at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will be in line for a special cash award of US $100,000, courtesy of TDK and World Athletics.

The global governing body confirmed today that the incentive will only be granted if the performance represents an improvement on the existing world record. Performances that equal a current world record will not qualify for the award.

The last recipients of the prestigious World Record Award were the United States mixed 4×400 metres relay team, who rewrote the books at the 2023 Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Beyond the world record programme, athletes in Tokyo will also compete for a share of an impressive US $8.498 million prize pool.

Gold medal winners in individual events will pocket $70,000, while silver medallists will receive $35,000 and bronze medallists $22,000.

For relays, the stakes are even higher. Teams claiming gold in the 4×100, 4×400, and mixed relay events will share $80,000, with silver medallists earning half that amount. Bronze-medal relay teams will collect $20,000.

World Athletics emphasized that all prize money and bonuses are contingent upon the usual ratification procedures, which include verification of performances and the completion of anti-doping protocols.