All participants at Tokyo Olympics get cash reward worth of $5,000

Uzbekistan’s delegation at the recent Tokyo Olympics was comprised of 71 representatives. This is the highest number in the history of domestic sports. Following the events during 23 July and 8 August, Uzbek athletes managed to win three gold and two bronze medals, thus, taking 32nd place in the world ranking. A solemn ceremony devoted to their achievement was held on Friday. It was chaired by the country’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The event also saw the heads of the National Olympic Committee and sports federations, parents of athletes, representatives of state and public organizations.

The first gold medal at the Olympics was brought by 19-year-old taekwondo athlete Ulugbek Rashidov, who became the youngest Olympic champion of Uzbekistan.

Weightlifter Akbar Juraev set an Olympic record, lifting a total of 430 kilograms, and won the second gold medal.

Heavyweight boxer Bahodir Jalolov fulfilled his promise to the President and won the Olympic Games.

The bronze medals were won by promising representatives of the national school of martial arts - judoka Davlat Bobonov and freestyle wrestler Behzod Abdurakhmanov.

"Such great achievements are possible only for such a generation, in whose veins the power and energy of our great ancestors, such as Jaloliddin Manguberdi, Amir Temur, Pahlavon Mahmud, Zahiriddin Babur, pulsates, such a generation that is worthy of these great names in all respects," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

He particularly noted the merits of world-famous gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who performed at the Olympic Games in gymnastics 8 times in a row. This result, unique for the world sport, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Therefore, her participation was recognized as one of the important events of the Tokyo Olympics.

- We are rightfully proud of such legendary athletes. Her courage and will to win serve as a kind of school of high achievements and glory for young athletes, " the President said.

Chusovitina was awarded the title of "Honored Coach of the Republic of Uzbekistan" for her love and devotion to the Motherland, dedication in sports, unyielding will and perseverance.

The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to create a sports school for Oksana Chusovitina and Bahodir Jalolov.

Mirziyoyev also mentioned 18-year-old Zainab Dayibekova, the first participant in the Olympic sabre fencing competitions in the history of Uzbekistan, as well as 19-year-old Kumushkhon Fayzullayeva, the youngest participant in weightlifting competitions.

- As you can see, the brave athletes of Uzbekistan boldly enter the international arena. We all sincerely admire them. At the same time, I want to tell our guys: if you don't work hard, the girls will soon beat you," Mirziyoyev said.

All winners of the Olympics were given a reward of $200,000, silver medalists received $100,000, while bronze medalists got $50,000.

Mirziyoyev also stressed the huge role of coaches in preparing athletes for competitions. In this regard, the coaches of the Olympic champions will receive $40,000 as a reward, and the coaches of the bronze medalists will receive $ 20,000 each.

He also ordered to award all athletes participating in the Olympics with a cash prize worth of $5,000.

The President then identified tasks for preparing for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

With the involvement of an international sports management company, he instructed to conduct an audit of each link of the sports sphere and take measures based on its results.

- It is necessary to bring from abroad not legionnaires, but leading specialists and methods of training athletes, - Mirziyoyev noted.

He instructed to completely review the quotas for admission to colleges of the Olympic reserve and improve their educational activities.