Cheers and ululation filled the terminal at OR Tambo International airport as Team SA arrived home.
The man of the moment was Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula‚ who took to the stage to announce that he would be increasing the reward for each medallist‚ in addition to the R500 000 incentive for gold‚ R250 000 for silver and R100 000 for bronze already pledged.
Absent from the group at the airport were gold medallist in the 400m Wayde van Niekerk and silver medallist in the javelin Sunette Viljoen‚ who left to compete in the Diamond League in Paris.
But fan favourite Caster Semenya‚ who will also be going to the Diamond League‚ was there‚ together with swimmers Cameron van den Burg and Chad le Clos‚ Miss SA Ntandoyenkosi Kunene‚ and other medallists and dignitaries.
Mbalula thanked the crowd for coming to welcome “this bunch of winners” and said the country was proud of the athletes.
He then announced that Van Niekerk would receive an additional R150 000 for breaking the world record‚ Semenya would get an extra R100 000‚ while R70 000 would be awarded to those who got silver and R50 000 to those brought home bronze.
“We don’t like losers‚ our team has done us proud...even those who did not win us medals‚ we saw them fighting for our country and you will become heroes next time...but now Mr Razzmatazz Christmas is here to reward you.” he said.
Mbalula went on to individually acknowledge each medallist‚ but reserved special mentions for Semenya and Van Niekerk. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital/The Times
‘Mr Razzmatazz Christmas’ announces extra rewards to Teams SA’s medallists
The man of the moment was Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula‚ who took to the stage to announce that he would be increasing the reward for each medallist‚ in addition to the R500 000 incentive for gold‚ R250 000 for silver and R100 000 for bronze already pledged.
Absent from the group at the airport were gold medallist in the 400m Wayde van Niekerk and silver medallist in the javelin Sunette Viljoen‚ who left to compete in the Diamond League in Paris.
But fan favourite Caster Semenya‚ who will also be going to the Diamond League‚ was there‚ together with swimmers Cameron van den Burg and Chad le Clos‚ Miss SA Ntandoyenkosi Kunene‚ and other medallists and dignitaries.
Mbalula thanked the crowd for coming to welcome “this bunch of winners” and said the country was proud of the athletes.
He then announced that Van Niekerk would receive an additional R150 000 for breaking the world record‚ Semenya would get an extra R100 000‚ while R70 000 would be awarded to those who got silver and R50 000 to those brought home bronze.
“We don’t like losers‚ our team has done us proud...even those who did not win us medals‚ we saw them fighting for our country and you will become heroes next time...but now Mr Razzmatazz Christmas is here to reward you.” he said.
Mbalula went on to individually acknowledge each medallist‚ but reserved special mentions for Semenya and Van Niekerk. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital/The Times
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