Chance for cash bonus
HONG KONG'S Asian Games athletes could be in for an extra cash windfall as a result of the drug scandal involving Chinese athletes, writes Nazvi Careem.
Eleven Chinese athletes were tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, including quadruple female gold medallist Lu Bin, one of seven Asian Games swimmers on a list published by a Japanese newspaper.
The Olympic Council of Asia will decide next month on what action to take against the Chinese, raising the possibility that athletes who finished below the Chinese could be promoted.
Hong Kong swimmer Robyn Lamsam could be in line for a bronze medal after finishing fourth behind winner Lu in the women's 50 metres freestyle.
Howard Wells, chief executive of the Sports Development Board and a member of the Sports Aid Foundation which hands out incentive awards, did not rule out the possibility of boosting cash accordingly.
'When we know what the outcome concerning these Chinese athletes is, then the Sports Aid Foundation may review the situation when they next meet,' said Wells.
'If the official results are changed, then we have to review it according to the facts.' An individual bronze medal would be worth $50,000 to Lamsam, who, along with Katie Lau, Vivien Lee and Fenella Ng could also be awarded the silver medal in the women's 4 ? 100 metres freestyle relay.
