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China's Gold Rush Pays Off Nicely for Athletes

Government, corporations give athletes big bucks on top of Olympic glory

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2008 11:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Decades ago, bringing glory to the motherland would have been the sole reward for victorious Chinese Olympians. The glory is still there—plenty of it, as China leads the gold medal table—but champions can now expect an average reward of $300,000 in cash and bonuses, even before corporate sponsorship deals roll in, the Los Angeles Times reports.

China is far from the only country to reward its winners: American gold medalists get $25,000 from the US Olympic Committee, Germans get 50 liters of beer a month, Belarusians get a lifetime supply of sausages, while North Koreans get the nation's "Hard-working Hero" award. This year, Mongolia's first-ever gold medalist got a lucky phone number: 9999-9999.

Gold medalists Zhang Yining, center, silver medalist Wang Nan, left, and bronze medalist Guo Yue, right, all from China,  are champs in table tennis.
Gold medalists Zhang Yining, center, silver medalist Wang Nan, left, and bronze medalist Guo Yue, right, all from China, are champs in table tennis.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Gold medalist He Chong of China shows his award in springboard diving.
Gold medalist He Chong of China shows his award in springboard diving.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Gold medalist Tong Wen of China kisses her medal at the medals ceremony of the women's judo  78kg heavyweight division.
Gold medalist Tong Wen of China kisses her medal at the medals ceremony of the women's judo 78kg heavyweight division.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Gold medalist Liu Zige of China waves to the crowd after winning the 200-meter butterfly.
Gold medalist Liu Zige of China waves to the crowd after winning the 200-meter butterfly.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Gold medalist Liao Hui of China sings his national anthem at the podium after winning a weightlifting competition.
Gold medalist Liao Hui of China sings his national anthem at the podium after winning a weightlifting competition.   (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
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In the old days, they just gave you a plaque. Now Chinese gold medalists walk away with more than many athletes in developed countries. - Wei Hanfeng, editor of Sports Illustrated's Chinese edition

The money is a bonus. But it's the spirit and prestige that matter. - Zhang Guozheng, a 2004 gold medal winner in weightlifting.

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