Deaflympics medalists receive cash rewards from government for their Brazil heroics 

The government yesterday feted Team Kenya athletes for their sterrling performance at the 24th edition of the Summer Deaflympics 2021 held in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil in May.

Each gold medallist was rewarded with Sh 1 million, while silver medallists pocketed Sh 750,000 each and bronze medallists went home with Sh 500,000 each.

At the global event, Kenya finished with a total of 24 medals; comprising of five gold, seven silver and 12 bronze.

“The money will hit the athletes accounts by Thursday morning,” Sports Principal Secretary Joe Okudo who presided over the ceremony assured the winners.

Kenya was ranked 11th out of 78 nations that took part in the event and was the best ranked country in Africa during the championships held between May 1 and 15. This performance surpassed that of last edition held in Turkey in 2017 (16 medals; 5 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze). The performance was also the best ever since the country first took part in the championships in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1997. Out of the 24 medals won by the team, 22 were won in athletics, on the track. The other two came from athletics field (javelin) and golf.

“The weather was bad in Brazil but we are glad we did our best to bring the medals home,” Team Kenya captain Beryl Wamira said. Team Kenya co-captain Lucas Wandia reiterated they could not have posted good results in Brazil without the support of the government that took care of the team, both at home and away.