The medals of the Russian Olympic athletes were celebrated at the end of February. AOP
Russian site Sport-Express reports that successful Russian Olympic athletes in Beijing will be left without a traditional prize.
For the first time in 16 years, Olympic medalists will not get expensive cars from the state. Instead, they receive a cash reward for their work. According to Sport-Express, the Olympic winners will receive a pot of 4 million rubles.
The ruble has collapsed since the start of the war in Ukraine. At the current exchange rate, 4 million rubles corresponds to about 45,800 euros. The prize for silver medalists is 2.5 million rubles (about 28,600 euros) and for bronze medalists 1.7 million rubles (about 19,500 euros).
Russian state news channel Tass, on the other hand, said the prize amounts matched the value of previous prizes.
However, according to Sport-Express, the allegation is incorrect. Tokyo Summer Olympics winners were rewarded with brand new BMW X-Series cars. Gold medalists received BMW X5s, which are estimated to cost about 6 million rubles.
The news site says that over the years, Olympic medalists may also have sold their cars forward. It has led to a bad reputation, as foreign award cars have been seen as symbols and honors of sporting success.
A total of 68 Russians celebrated the medal in Beijing. 25 of them were hockey players.