LJUBLJANA, SLO -- More than US$ 5.6 million in prize money was awarded in international track & field competition in September, The TRACK PROFILE Report's ongoing prize money tally showed.

Based upon winnings reported from the Brussels and Berlin Golden League meets, the Rieti, Italy Grand Prix, the season-capping World Athletics Final in Monaco, and the IAAF's Multi-Event Challenge, at least $5,664,044 in prize money and bonuses were awarded this month.

The big winners were Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson of Sweden and Bahamian Tonique Williams-Darling, the Olympic 400 meter champion, who each claimed half of the one million dollar TDK Golden League Jackpot after winning their respective events at each of the six Golden League competitions. Olsson's winnings this month totalled $548,300, while those of Williams-Darling reached $513,150.

Others turning in hefty post-Olympic earning efforts were Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia ($96,490) and steeplechase specialist Saif Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar ($91,000). Each earned a bonus of 50,000 euros ($61,000) for their world records at the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels on September 3. Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, who won the sprint double at the World Athletics Final, was next for the men, with $74,150 in winnings. Olympic high jump champion Yelena Slesarenko of Russia was third this month for the women, earning $66,600.

Earnings figures were compiled from event organizers and athlete representatives, and do not reflect confidentially negotiated appearance fees or performance bonus payments, if any. Figures do include prize money won in road racing events.

At least 50 athletes earned more than $30,000, while 427 athletes from 65 countries claimed prize money in September.

TPR's exclusive year-end survey, the third annual, will be released in December.

Top-10 Prize Money Earners for the month of September [figures in USD; prizes awarded in other currencies were converted at the prevailing exchange rate]:

MEN

1. Christian Olsson, SWE, jumps $548,300
2. Saif Saaeed Shaheen, QAT, distance 91,000 *
3. Asafa Powell, JAM, sprints 74,150 *
4. Youssef Saad Kamel, BRN, distance 58,900
5. Alex Kipchirchir, KEN, distance 49,400
6. Ivan Heshko, UKR, distance 47,690
7. Mario Pestano, ESP, throws 44,640
8. Kemel Thompson, JAM, hurdles 44,280
9. Bershawn Jackson, USA, hurldes 43,180
10. Bayano Kamani, PAN, hurdles 41,600

WOMEN

1. Tonique Williams-Darling, BAH, sprints $513,150
2. Yelena Isinbayeva, RUS, jumps 96,490
3. Yelena Slesarenko, RUS, jumps 66,600
4. Aleen Bailey, JAM, sprints 62,060
5. Veronica Campbell, JAM, sprints 60,000
6. Tatyana Tomashova, RUS, distance 56,600
7. Debbie Ferguson, BAH, sprints 49,600
8. Yelena Zadorozhnaya, RUS, distance 47,860
9. Tatyana Lebedeva, RUS, jumps 45,490
=10. Ana Guevara, MEX, sprints 44,640
=10. Kelly Holmes, GBR, distance 44,640

* Prize money for men's 100 meters and steeplechase at the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels was not reported.