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South Africa's Olympic medallists left OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg for a whirl of engagements, but not before receiving cheques for their achievements.

Besides the value attached to her silver medal, runner Caster Semenya received a cheque for R200,000 from the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.

Her coach Maria Mutola got R50,000.

Swimmer Cameron van der Burgh received R400,000 for his gold for breaststroke, as did Chad le Clos for his 200m butterfly win.

Le Clos got another R200,000 for tying for silver in the 100m butterfly.

Bridgitte Hartley got R80,000 for her bronze in the women's kayak single K1-500m sprint.

Rowers Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Brittain, John Smith and James Thompson got R100,000 each for their gold in the men's lightweight four.

Their coaches were also awarded cheques.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said the cheques were not enough and funders had to start "putting their money where there mouth is".

"And this is where your mouth is," he said, pointing at the athletes.

He said the Olympic team had restored the nation's pride.

"There are no words that can describe the joy you have delivered. I don't think you can completely understand what you have done to this great nation," he told the medallists.

"Today we are united, black and white, because of your deeds... what you have done will remain in the annals of history."

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Wed Jun 19 20:24:40 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 14, 2012

KingMa

prize money is a joke, then you expect are athletes to be competative internationally...
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Aug 14, 2012

TDK

Better than nothing
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Aug 14, 2012

MyPot

There is no money here, Silver R200 000, this Sascoc is crazy joking thing...no wonder caster doesn't have a toilet at home. Gold was suppose to be R8000 000, and Silver R4000 000, Bronze R800 000, this people are putting South Africa on map, they want to call beyonce for R18000 000 while our athletes are eatin soil and shoes, boring
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Aug 14, 2012

KingMa

@tdk

thats why we will get better than nothing results
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Aug 14, 2012

VR6

Tsie e phala morogo, THATS BULSH%^&*&T, what is it that the Sport ministry brought to the table? The prize money is from SASCOC only. Mr Mbalula keep your big mouth shut and open the cheque book from your ministry and give these athletes millions, the money that you were gona use to pay Beyonce to attend the sports awards and not add any value, please give it to these herors & heroeins. To Caster I say" rrena baudi ba Masehlong, phaudi,kolopo,kanana, Firlie,Cooper & all over Moletjie,we are all proud of you and we will always be behind you.
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Aug 14, 2012

MommaC

Why did the rowers get less each? They all got gold so why do they get silver payouts?

Hopefully they will get some nice juicy sponsorships because that money isn't going to take them very far
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Aug 14, 2012

Phuphethakatha

Paid peanuts ! Next time we must be represented by monkeys.
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Aug 14, 2012

Mellow

@KingMa Halloooooo and please this is SA really now its better than nothing hey

Shem the rowers were robbed struuuss sbob they should toyi-toyi

Congra again to team SA... drumrolllllllllllllsssssssssssssssss
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Aug 14, 2012

KingMa

@Mellow
Ya they should toyi toyi, its a disgrace...i am curious to know had banyana banyana won a gold medal..how much would they have got..
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Aug 14, 2012

somaartakeit

that little payout? no wonder professional athletes (sportspersons) take up nationalities of countries willing to compensate them for their worth, this is scandal that our elite sports persons are paid peanuts.
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