resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo handed over billions of rupiah in cash awards for winning athletes at the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris in a ceremony in Jakarta on Thursday.
The President symbolically awarded the bonuses to three medalists in Paris 2024, namely gold medal winners lifter Rizki Juniansyah and speed climber Veddriq Leonardo, as well as bronze medal winner Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
“Such success has raised optimism and hope for other Indonesian athletes to keep competing to win better achievements in other international sporting events,” Jokowi said during the ceremony, according to a statement from the President’s office.
Rizki won the top prize in the men’s 73 kilogram weightlifting event, while Veddriq won gold in the men’s speed climbing category. Gregoria was the only shuttler, of nine athletes sent, to win a medal, with a bronze in the women’s singles badminton.
Both Rizki and Veddriq were awarded Rp 6 billion (US$382,252) from the government, while Gregoria won Rp 1.65 billion for winning a bronze medal.
Coaches of the gold-winning athletes were also given Rp 2.75 billion in cash prizes each, with Gregoria’s coach granted a Rp 675 million bonus.
Read also: Stronger, better: Indonesia brings home two golds from Paris Olympics
