RIGA - The Latvian Olympic Committee signed a cooperation agreement with Aldaris on Aug. 9, consenting that the country's largest brewery would extend financial support to Latvia's Olympic team for four years.
According to the agreement, Aldaris will give the Latvian Olympic Committee 50,000 lats (74,600 euros) each year as part of the company's "social responsibility policy" to support events important for the state and society.
"This decision was made with the realization of how important the company's support is for [Latvia's] sport's future," said Inara Sure, Aldaris board chairwoman.
"The Olympic movement has a special value. It's a connection with the history of civilization. As a company that will be celebrating its 140th anniversary, Aldaris can especially appreciate history," she added.
Zorzs Tikmers, vice president of the Latvian Olympic Committee, said that preparation for the games was going very well and that Latvia's team was ready to do its best.
However, team member and javelin thrower Voldemars Lusis admitted that there would be much less support for Latvia in Athens than there was in Portugal during the European soccer championship.
"But despite that, we still hope to hear our supporters screaming out loud 'Latvia! Latvia!' because it's not a secret that any kind of support is going to help make better results," said Lusis.
Vilnis Baltins, president of the Latvian Olympic Committee, reminded everyone of the primary importance of the games.
"Of course we expect good results, but Latvia's Olympic team members are already worth a lot just because they struggle for the honor of Latvia," he said.
As in previous years, the government is promising Latvian athletes up to 100,000 lats (after tax deduction) for winning a gold medal in Athens. The prize money will be paid out at the end of the year, once the National Sports Council has filed the respective requests. In addition, coaches and assisting staff are expected to earn a total of up to 50,000 lats for bringing home an Olympic champion.
Silver medal winners are promised 50,000 lats and bronze medal winners 20,000 lats. Awards for fourth and fifth places are also expected.
Four athletes were awarded money after the Sydney 2000 Games, as Latvia took three medals in total - one of each - and placed sixth.
