Sara López has been named the World Games Athlete of the Month for May ©IWGA

Colombian archer Sara López will donate her prize money from winning the World Games Athlete of the Month award to charities fighting the coronavirus crisis in her native country.

López scooped the monthly award following her victory in the Lockdown Knockout event, World Archery's first remote competition.

The reigning Pan American Games women's compound champion, who won gold at the 2017 World Games in Wrocław, pocketed CHF1,000 (£829/$1,000/€931) after being named the athlete of the month for May.

The 25-year-old said she will give all of her winnings to Colombian charities tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also criticised the Colombian Government's response to the virus.

The Colombian archer won World Archery's first remote tournament last month ©Getty Images
The Colombian archer won World Archery's first remote tournament last month ©Getty Images

"I made this decision because even though I'm not receiving the money that I usually get from competitions and other sources, I know that some people need it more right now, especially in my country where the majority of people have lost their jobs and are really struggling to find a way to feed their families," López said. 

"The money is going to a local organisation that works with donations from people in my city; the organisation buys groceries and food for vulnerable communities, and also brings food for local dogs' and cats' shelters. 

"In addition, it now has a project to buy gloves and masks for doctors and nurses, since the Government is not giving them protection at work."

The World Health Organization recently warned South America had become a new epicentre of the pandemic.

Colombia, which has requested international assistance in its response to the crisis, has reported more than 30,000 cases and nearly 1,000 deaths from COVID-19.