Sascoc ‘in negotiations’ over medal bonuses for Schoenmaker, Buitendag
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) says athletes who won medals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo will receive bonuses.
Swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker and surfer Bianca Buitendag were the only athletes from Team South Africa to win medals at the Tokyo Games.
Sascoc president Barry Hendriks says there is no truth to reports that financial constraints has left the body unable to reward the two athletes.
“We have been consistent in saying that we are in negotiations with partners over the issue of financial rewards to medallists at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
“It is true that the amounts have not been finalised given that the negotiations are ongoing. However, there has never been a point whereby a decision has been made to not offer medallists incentives.”
Hendriks says Sascoc did not want the issue of medal bonuses to distract from the performances of the athletes.
“All along we wanted the athletes to concentrate on their performances without distraction. Both the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are being held in unprecedented times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We will be rewarding medallists and the amount for each medallist will be announced in due course once we have finalised negotiations with our partners.”
