In cooperation with BNS
TALLINN - The Estonian government has given about 4 million kroons (.26 million Euro) to the Ministry of Culture for the athletes who won medals at the Beijing Olympics and their coaches.
Gerd Kanter, who won the gold in discus, stands to receive 1.6 million kroons and his Icelandic coach Vesteinn Hafsteinsson is set to get 800,000 kroons from the government, spokespeople said.
Juri Jaanson and Tonu Endrekson, who finished second in double sculls rowing, will get 550,000 kroons each, along with coach Tatjana Jaanson.
The Estonian government decided in January that the size of the government's award for Olympic medals this year will be 1.6 million kroons for gold and 1.1 million kroons for silver. Coaches can be given up to 50 percent of the sum awarded to athletes.
The city of Tallinn has announced that Kanter, just like other Estonian Olympic gold medalists, will be entitled to free parking in the capital provided that he applies for a corresponding permit.
The city government is expected to decide on an appropriate cash award for Kanter at its next session on Aug. 27.
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