The list of the top 10 countries in terms of incentives for Olympics gold medallists. - Image courtesy of Seasia Stats via Sinar Harian.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is among the top 10 countries offering the highest official incentives for gold medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The national contingent ranks fourth with a reward of US$214,000 (RM986,251) in its mission to end the wait for Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported, quoting a Forbes report.
The Youth and Sports Ministry, through the National Sports Council (MSN), offers incentives under the Sports Victory Prize Scheme, where gold medallists will receive RM1mil, silver medallists RM300,000, and bronze medallists RM100,000.
Leading the chart for the biggest windfall for athletes winning gold in Paris is Hong Kong, offering US$768,000 (RM3.5mil), followed by Israel at US$275,000 (RM1.26mil), and Serbia with US$218,000 (RM1mil), Sinar Harian reported.
Ranking fifth below Malaysia is Italy with US$196,000 (RM903,356), followed by Lithuania at US$182,000 (RM838,885), and Moldova with US$171,000 (RM788,162).
Latvia stands in eighth place with a reward of US$155,000 (RM714,416), followed by Hungary at US$154,000 (RM709,840).
Bulgaria rounds out the top 10 with an incentive of US$139,000 (RM640,700).
In addition to the RM1mil official reward, Malaysia's first Olympic gold medallist is now set to take home close to RM7mil in cash and kind, if the winner is a badminton player. If not, a RM6mil prize awaits.
RM1mil will be given by Yinson Holdings Bhd while Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd and MJ Health Screening Centre will each contribute RM500,000.
If there is more than one gold medallist, the additional RM2mil will be split between them.
Mobile network operator RedONE Mobile is also offering RM1mil for gold, to be paid in monthly instalments over 10 years to ensure long-term support for the athlete.
Senheng New Retail Bhd, meanwhile, will provide a cash reward of RM1mil to three national badminton players - Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, and Chen Tang Jie - who were part of the SS Badminton Talent Programme from 2012 to 2016, if they succeed in winning gold.
Senheng had sponsored the trio's lodging and training expenses during that time.
Apart from the cash prizes, gold medallists will also take home a luxury apartment in Top Residency, Setia Alam, worth RM1mil, donated by Top Glove founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai.
Chinese car manufacturer Chery Malaysia is also presenting a sports utility vehicle (SUV) to any athlete who wins any medal at the Olympic Games.
