The Poorest Countries Are The Most Generous To Their Olympic Athletes

The "poorest countries are the most generous" when it comes to prize money for their athletes at the London Games, according to Olivia Derreumaux of LE FIGARO. Uzbekistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan "promise their athletes" between €640,000 ($787,000) and €811,000 ($997,290) for a Gold Medal. Uzbekistan with the prize of €811,000 for a Gold Medal offers the largest sum out of the 204 nations. So far, no Uzbek athlete has managed to win a Gold, but judo competitor Rishod Sobirov won a Bronze. Armenia offers €700,000 ($860,790) for a Gold and Azerbaijan €640,000 ($799,000). Those sums are "surprising for modest economic countries... but not irrational" since their athletes hardly ever get on the podium. At the Beijing Games, only one Uzbek athlete won a Gold Medal (LE FIGARO, 8/1).