Indonesia's gold medallists at the Paris Olympics, Rizki Juniansyah (centre left) and Veddriq Leonardo (centre right) posing upon their arrival from Paris at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten on Aug 13, 2024. - AFP
JAKARTA: Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo announced that all Indonesian athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics will receive a bonus from the government as a token of appreciation for representing the nation reported Antara news agency.
"For all athletes and coaches who do not win medals, they will receive a bonus as a form of our appreciation and commitment. The bonus will be announced soon," Ariotedjo said in a statement from his office on Wednesday (Aug 14).
The bonus values for the three medal-winning athletes, Veddriq Leonardo, Rizki Juniansyah, and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, have been specifically determined based on the direction of President Joko Widodo.
Speed climber Veddriq Leonardo and weightlifter Rizki Juniansyah will receive a cash bonus of Rp6 billion (US$366,000) each from the government for winning the gold medal and their coaches will get Rp2.75 billion (US$167,000) each.
The amount is higher than the bonus given to gold winners at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was Rp5.5 billion (US$335,000) for athletes and Rp2.5 billion (US$152,000) for coaches.
Women's badminton athlete Gregoria, who secured the bronze medal, will receive Rp1.65 billion (US$100,000) while her coach will get Rp675 million (US$41,000).
Ariotedjo remarked that the figure was higher than the bonus given to Indonesian athletes who won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was Rp1.5 billion (US$91,000) for athletes and Rp600 million (US$36,000) for coaches.
Veddriq and Rizki arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Tuesday along with other Olympic participants, such as rock climbers Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi, Rajiah Sallsabillah, and Rahmad Adi Mulyono, as well as weightlifter Nurul Akmal.
They were also accompanied by Chef de Mission of the Indonesian Contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Anindya Bakrie.
Ariotedjo and Minister of State Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, welcomed the entourage.
Before returning to Indonesia, Rizki and Veddriq represented Indonesia at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. - Bernama-Antara
