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China's first gold medalist to get 5-million-yuan bonus

Society Materials 12 August 2008 14:50 (UTC +04:00)

China's first gold medalist in Beijing, woman weightlifter Chen Xiexia, can look forward to bonuses of up to 5 million yuan (about 730,000 dollars), Chinese media said Tuesday.

Chen, who hails from Guangzhou in southern China, emerged victorious in the women's 48 kilos weightlifting competition on the first day of the Olympics on Saturday, reported dpa.

Immediately after her victory, a bonus of 130,000 yuan was transferred to the athlete's father, the Shanghai Daily newspaper said.

The national sports authorities promised each winner of Olympic gold 1 million yuan in prize money, the newspaper said.

In addition, there were bonuses worth up to 3 million yuan paid by authorities in the city, district and province where the medallist lives.

Chen can also expect a reward from the Chinese army, where she was once a member of its weightlifting team.

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