Georgian PM says Gov’t will reward all Paris Summer Olympics medalists from country

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said his Government would set prize money for each gold medal winner at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, in comments at the send-off ceremony of the Georgian Olympic team.

Kobakhidze said those claiming gold medals would be awarded ₾1 million ($368,355,40), silver medal winners would receive ₾500,000 ($184,177,70) and bronze medallists would be granted ₾250,000 ($92,088,85) .  

He also pledged ongoing and “year by year” increased support for sports, Georgian Olympians and the Olympic team.

“I am sure you do not need additional motivation to fight for the [titles at the Games] until the end, but this is an additional factor that will probably increase your motivation”, he added, wishing Georgian athletes “great success”.

He also noted participating in the Games in itself was a “great success, a great honour”, but added for the country it was also extremely important to have “as much success as possible” at the event.

“I am sure that the Paris Olympic Games will be absolutely outstanding for our team in this regard”, the PM added.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze also addressed the team at the ceremony.

Georgia will be represented by 28 athletes at the upcoming Olympics, the Georgian Ministry of Sports said last week, with sport shooter Nino Salukvadze poised to make history as the first female athlete to compete in 10 Olympic Games.

The Georgian team also includes freestyle wrestlers Goderdzi Dzebisashvili, Vladimir Gamkrelidze, Givi Matcharashvili and Geno Petriashvili and Greco-Roman wrestlers Ramaz Zoidze, Lasha Gobadze and Robert Kobliashvili. 

Fencer Sandro Bazadze and trampoline jumper Luba Golovina will also feature at the Olympics, along with weightlifters Shota Mishveladze, Irakli Chkheidze and Lasha Talakhadze, boxers Lasha Guruli and Giorgi Khimshiashvili.

Judokas Giorgi Sardalashvili, Vazha Margvelashvili, Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Tato Grigalashvili, Lasha Bekauri, Ilia Sulamanidze, Guram Tushishvili, Eter Liparteliani, Eter Askilashvili and Sophio Somkhishvili will compete at the Games, in addition to runner Lika Kharchilava and swimmers Ana Nizharadze and Noe Pantskhava.

A team of men and women judo wrestlers will also be vying for a medal in the mixed team competition at the event in a historic first for Georgia.

The Games are set to run between July 26-August 11.