COC Presents Money To Medal Winners
12/10/2008 04:03
The Canadian Olympic Committee rewarded Beijing Olympic medal winners for the first time in its history Saturday, presenting 34 athletes with cheques for their accomplishments.
A total of $515,000 was handed out under the Athlete Excellence Fund, a financial incentive program unveiled last November.
Under the fund, Canadian Olympians received $20,000 for each gold medal won, $15,000 for each silver and $10,000 for each bronze.
Lou Ragagnin, the committee's chief operating officer, praised the group of athletes who gathered in Toronto Saturday before presenting the cheques.
He called the money a "well deserved" and a "small token of our appreciation," before saying he hopes in the future the committee will distribute even more cash.
Liam Parsons, a rower from Thunder Bay, Ont., said training is a full-time pursuit and the award will help many of the Olympians recoup costs incurred on the way to winning the medal.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Well, I guess it’s better than a kick in the rear end with a wet boot, but not by much.