Cash for Olympic medals

TALLINN- The Estonian government has given about 4 million kroons(.26 million Euro) to the Ministry of Culture for the athletes who won medalsat the Beijing Olympics and their coaches.

Gerd Kanter, who won the gold in discus, stands to receive1.6 million kroons and his Icelandic coach Vesteinn Hafsteinsson is set to get 800,000kroons 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 inJanuary that the size of the government's award for Olympic medals this yearwill be 1.6 million kroons for gold and 1.1 million kroons for silver. Coachescan be given up to 50 percent of the sum awarded to athletes.

The city of Tallinnhas announced that Kanter, just like other Estonian Olympic gold medalists,will be entitled to free parking in the capital provided that he applies for acorresponding permit.

The city government is expected to decide on an appropriate cash award forKanter at its next session on Aug. 27.