Recognition from community for athletes more important than cash rewards, says Olympic icon Lee Lai-shan
Hong Kong competitors at Rio Games won’t get any more money under incentive scheme than what was on offer for London in 2012, but windsurfing gold medallist says the dollar sign is not the only consideration
Hong Kong athletes who win Olympic medals at the Rio Games in August won’t be offered any more cash incentives than what was at stake for the last Games in London in 2012.
But Olympic windsurfing gold medallist Lee Lai-shan says a cash reward is not the most important thing for athletes who win an international honour – recognition and appreciation from the community is more valued.
The dollar sign is not always the most important consideration for athletes
The Hong Kong Sports Institute, in a joint venture with the Jockey Club, announced on Saturday details of the Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme for the Rio Games.
An individual gold medal winner will get HK$3 million while silver and bronze medallists will receive HK$1.5 million and HK$750,000 respectively.
For team events, the winners will get a total cash award of HK$4.2 million for gold, HK$2.1 million and HK$1.05 million for silver and bronze respectively.
The amounts are the same as what the Sports Institute offered 2012 Olympic Games medallists. Cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze was the only medal winner for Hong Kong at the London Games when she received HK$750,000 for claiming the bronze medal in the women’s keirin.