Only in Russia: Putin rewards each olympic medallists with a brand new Audi.

[vrsexxy_GTI]

Link: http://www.auto123.com/en/news/vladi...s?artid=146726

Russia's president Vladimir Putin awarded brand new Audi cars to all the athletes who won a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The 24 gold medallists received an Audi A8 sedan, while the 26 silver medallists took home an A7 hatchback. As for those who won a bronze, they were given a smaller A6 sedan.

''On behalf of all Russian supporters, I want to thank you for your performance and our country's success in these Olympics,'' Putin said to the athletes.

Team Russia finished fourth with 82 medals. Just imagine how much all these Audis cost the president...

[kiznarsh]

So if I follow the pattern, if you just missed the podium and finished 4th, do you get an A5?

[konkomania]

What if you were disqualified from an event?

[RacingManiac]

While the Italian do not get Ferraris, I believe they do get something like $180k for winning....

[DIAF]

While the Italian do not get Ferraris, I believe they do get something like $180k for winning....

Americans get $25k, after taxes it's a nice Cruze.

[cubefx]

That is on top of the Prize money. Russian Athletes are one of the top paid in the world.

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The Russian team will be paid more than $5.5 million in prize money for the medals won at the 2012 Olympic Games. Those who won gold will each get $135,000, silver medalists will receive $81,000 and bronze winners will be paid $54,000.

[LhW]

And our government taxes our medal winners! USA for the win!

Link: http://www.auto123.com/en/news/vladi...s?artid=146726

[Jordan 191]

In the same way that silver is a cooler looking medal/metal than gold, I'd rather have an A7 than an A8.

[Aonarch]

Eastern Europeans are like that.

Weddings are the worst... money money money! Gifts!

[Dizy]

And our government taxes our medal winners! USA for the win!

I believe that there were plans to waive that.

[Impeccable]

Eastern Europeans are like that.

Weddings are the worst... money money money! Gifts!

YOLO

[1Point8TDan]

In the same way that silver is a cooler looking medal/metal than gold, I'd rather have an A7 than an A8.

Exactly what I was thinking. Or trade A8 for Q7.

[thisisdog]

Exactly what I was thinking. Or trade A8 for Q7.

Can you make a deal, trade the a7 for a c63 amg?

[BRealistic]

Seems fitting.
The Audis will last about as long as the athletes are Olympic medal material.

[stascom]

Seems fitting.
The Audis will last about as long as the athletes are Olympic medal material.

YWOOO - You Win Olympics Only Once?

[Son]

Audi must be furious the article used the word "hatchback" for the A7.

[warren_s]

Seems fitting.
The Audis will last about as long as the athletes are Olympic medal material.

So in the case of Michael Phelps, about a decade?

[hugoaswho]

Heh what's so special about this athletes get cars all the time and in this case they get to drive them on the worst roads in the world in the most corrupt country in the world ruled by the mafia

[zerotosixty]

Would purposely try to win silver

[bbk]

What, commrade, no Volga?

[AHFlynn]

I believe that there were plans to waive that.

i doubt congress did anything on that before break

[Live-Wire]

That's actually nice to hear. Good to see a country reward these people.

Canada meanwhile loses coaches and athletes to various countries, and doesn't produce great athletes because there is little money/incentive in being an athlete here, and you need to hold a day job to pay for your training. Not to mention, the lack of facilities (most of our public stuff is geared purely for money-making, family friendly, fun activities... don't see too many Olympic class poolsopen for Wednesday public lane-swim.

[warren_s]

wonder if they also issued a personal firearm so the athletes in question can lean out the window and theaten to shoot another motorost that isn't letting them in.....

[IdontOwnAVW]

wonder if they also issued a personal firearm so the athletes in question can lean out the window and theaten to shoot another motorost that isn't letting them in.....

I see that.....

Bronze and you get an A6, eh? Not too shabby.

[Yo Teach]

Putin had to go on damage control after the ***** Riot thing.

[zerotosixty]

Does multiple golds mean R8 V10?

[akuma]

i guess the 12 men who won bronze in basketball have to squeeze in one A6, while that Russian gymnastics diva gets at least one of each. wait the whole team has to fit in the A7, not too hard, while she gets 2 A6s.

[Snake Hips]

Heh what's so special about this athletes get cars all the time and in this case they get to drive them on the worst roads in the world in the most corrupt country in the world ruled by the mafia

You didn't just say Russia is the most corrupt country in the world. Unless "ruled by the mafia" was your qualifier in that sentence structure.

[RzinDubs]

That's actually nice to hear. Good to see a country reward these people.

Canada meanwhile loses coaches and athletes to various countries, and doesn't produce great athletes because there is little money/incentive in being an athlete here, and you need to hold a day job to pay for your training. Not to mention, the lack of facilities (most of our public stuff is geared purely for money-making, family friendly, fun activities... don't see too many Olympic class poolsopen for Wednesday public lane-swim.

Agreed. It's pathetic.

Golden girl Rosannagh MacLennan will receive $20,000 in prize money from the Canadian Olympic Committee’s (COC) Athlete Excellence Fund (AEF). The four silver medallists get $15,000 each and the eight bronze medallists, $10,000.

For the first time, coaches also get prize money: $10,000 for a gold, $7,500 for a silver and $5,000 for a bronze.

[joe97]

And our government taxes our medal winners! USA for the win!

Currency and medals. Uncle sam wouldn't have it any other way.

[Shmi]

You win under the Olympic rings, you win some Audi rings. CLOSE ENOUGH.

Seriously though that's pretty great for them. I'd trade the A7 for the A6 though.

[DUTCHMANia]

All the dutch olympic athletes get a 4 year lease on a VW UP! you don't have to win anything though.



also, TAXpayers don't have to deal with this BS... VW offers the cars.

[BRealistic]

So in the case of Michael Phelps, about a decade?

Phelps is Russian?
Damn.

[DUTCHMANia]

Phelps is Russian?
Damn.

KGB

[ATL_Av8r]

What if you were disqualified from an event?

Then you are forced to drive TWO A7s