SERANG (Indonesia): (Bernama-Antara) Rizki Juniansyah (pic), who won gold in the men's 73kg weightlifting event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, has accepted a government position offered by Indonesia's Youth and Sports Ministry.
The announcement was made on Wednesday (Aug 14), marking a significant recognition of his athletic achievements, reported Antara news agency.
"Praise God, I have been offered a position as a state official," he said.
The young Olympic champion thanked his hometown residents for their immense support, highlighted by a joyful welcome home parade.
He also commended his neighbours for their enthusiasm in creating a makeshift theatre to watch his gold medal-winning performance on August 8.
"Thank you for your support and prayers. I'm proud to have made my neighbourhood proud," Juniansyah said.
He extended his appreciation to Haridoyo, manager of the Banten team for the upcoming PON National Games, for his continuous support and guidance. Serang's acting mayor, Yadi Rahmat, confirmed that the city government had proposed the government job to the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform to secure Juniansyah's future after his athletic career.
The Indonesia contingent ranked 39th in the final standings of the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning two gold medals and one bronze.
Veddriq Leonardo won the first gold in men's speed climbing on Thursday, followed by Rizki Juniansyah's gold in men's 73kg weightlifting.
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung claimed the bronze in women's singles badminton.
President Joko Widodo ensured that the government will provide cash bonuses to athletes who bag medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Widodo remarked that gold medalists will receive Rp6 billion, or around US$378 thousand, an increase from the Rp5.5 billion provided earlier. - Bernama-Antara
