Thanks to her exploits in the pool at the Paris Olympics 2024, South Africa’s golden girl Tatjana Smith is set for a lucrative pay day.
However, Akani Simbine could earn more than double for a gold medal compared to the celebrated swimmer.
SASCOC CONFIRMS BONUSES FOR TEAM SA
Before the Olympics, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee revealed their incentive payout structure for athletes and coaches at this year’s Paris Olympics.
According to Sascoc, individual Olympic gold medallists will receive R400 000 for their efforts, while silver and bronze medallists will pocket R200 000 and R100 000, respectively.
In addition, the athletes’ coaches will also receive their fair share of money for helping produce medalists.
Coaches whose athletes win gold at the Olympics will pocket R100 000. Silver and bronze medallist coaches will receive R75 000 and R50 000, respectively.
However, boat-related disciplines will see gold medallists pocketing R200 000 each, with silver and bronzer winners taking home R100 000 and R40 000, respectively.
In addition, as reported by The South African website, new Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, promised that he has a ‘big surprise’ for all Team SA medal winners, suggesting there could be more prize money coming their way.
AKANI SIMBINE’S POSSIBLE BONUSES AT THE PARIS OLYMPICS REVEALED
With R400 000 already in her pocket, Tatjana Smith might be another R400 000 richer if she secures another gold medal – as expected – in the 200m breaststroke.
Her win would mean earning R800 000 from the two events.
However, with a single gold medal win, any track and field athlete would win over a R1 million despite their gold medal incentives being pegged at R400 000.
Over the years, track and field disciplines have become the most watched and followed Olympic events.
Earlier this year, World Athletics revealed that starting from the 2024 Paris Olympics, the international federation will award prize money to winners in track and field events.
The announcement saw World Athletics become the first international federation to award prize money at the Olympics.
Gold medallists in each of the 48 athletics events in Paris will receive $50 000, which amounts to R916 000.
However, relay teams will be awarded the same amount to share among team members.
Akani Simbine is one of the favourites to win the men’s 100m race. If he secures the gold medal, he will pocket at least R1.3 million in incentives from Sascoc and World Athletics.
And that’s before any possible pay day for the men’s 4x100m relay.
