'We will not make details of the prize scheme public until after the Games'

When Guo Wenjun stood on the podium after winning the 25-metre air pistol on Sunday, memories of harder times can't have been far from her thoughts.

Five years ago, the 24-year-old failed to even make it into the first-team squad for her city, Xian, signalling what seemed like an abrupt end to a life in the state-funded sports system. With little education after years of full-time training, Guo worked as a shop assistant in a bazaar to make ends meet.

Two years later she earned another shot at the city team. This time she brought her talent to bear and since then she has never looked back, soaring to national level. Now an Olympic champion, her life is set to take another leap into unfamiliar territory - but instead of scratching an existence in a market, she is likely to have enough money to buy the whole place.

According to an agreement with a domestic alcohol maker, the Chinese shooting team will be awarded 10 million yuan (HK$11.4 million) if they take five gold medals. The bulk of the jackpot will be split between the winners, top shooting official Gao Zhidan revealed last month. But Guo & Co need not fear for their financial futures if the gold tally is under the mark - five million yuan is guaranteed.

The shooting team are not alone in their new-found wealth. Another drinks company has promised one million yuan for each gold in rowing and canoeing, - to be split among crew and administrators - with 800,000 yuan for silver and 500,000 yuan for bronze.

The bonanza means prize money from central sports authorities carries less weight. China doled out 200,000 yuan for gold in Athens, with 120,000 yuan for silver and 80,000 for bronze. There were exceptions - hurdler Liu Xiang and 10,000m champion Xing Huina were give one million yuan as a tribute for their outstanding achievements.