Estonian athletes preparing for 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics to receive additional funding

TALLINN - The Team Estonia program of the Estonian National Olympic Committee (NOC) is allocating supplementary needs-based support to top Estonian athletes participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the total amount of 200,000 euros.

Martti Raju, sports director of NOC, said that Team Estonia prioritizes an individual approach to athletes, which in turn prompts the needs-based support.

"The athletes gave the elite sports committee of the NOC an overview of their preparation plans and gave examples of how the extra support would help them prepare for the Olympics," Raju said, adding that with just six months left until the Summer Olympics, the committee is contributing to the final preparations of the athletes it regards as having the potential to achieve notable results in Tokyo.

The supplementary needs-based support by Team Estonia will be granted to javelin thrower Magnus Kirt, decathletes Maicel Uibo, Johannes Erm and Janek Oiglane, hurdler Rasmus Magi, wrestlers Epp Mae and Heiki Nabi, bicycle racers Rein Taaramae and Tanel Kangert, tennis player Anett Kontaveit and the Estonian women's epee team.

The supplementary needs-based support will be granted to the athletes in addition to the funding allocated to them for Olympic preparations based on their results so far. The salary of A-level athletes totals 2,500 euros and support for preparation 2,200 euros. The monthly income of B-level athletes amounts to 1,600 euros and support for preparation 1,400 euros, and support for C-level athletes 1,000 euros. Support is also allocated to the coaches of the athletes participating in the Olympic preparatory program.

The Team Estonia program aims to improve the competitive position of Estonian elite sport and increase the number of medals won in international championships. In the program, elite athletes and coaches will be provided with an extended support system and high level conditions and support services.