China Dropping Gold Medal Incentives to Curb Corruption

(ATR) Officials in China say the state-sanctioned emphasis on collecting gold medals at major international competitions is over.

After finding evidence of fraud and match-fixing, the country will no longer give cash prizes to athletes who win gold at the Olympics and Asian Games. The prizes for provinces and cities producing the most gold medal winners will also end.

The General Administration of Sport in China says the drive for gold has led to "a small number of athletes and coaches who will stop at nothing to achieve good results in competitions."

"The unscrupulous, illegal and fraudulent pursuit of gold medals not only distorts the spirit of sport, but also hurts career development and national interests," the agency said in a statement issued on Monday.

"It undermines the image of sport and is contrary to its value. We must resolutely oppose this and effectively eliminate it."

Football, in particular, has been affected by corruption. More than 40 officials, judges, players, coaches and club workers connected to the sport have been jailed since 2009. China President Xi Jinping has called the game a national embarrassment, according to Reuters.

Written by Nick Devlin

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