Next year’s Olympics to cost Slovakia €1.44 million

Preparations and the attendance of Slovak athletes at the 2016 Olympic Games and subsequent Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro will cost €1.44 million, according to an estimate of the Education, Science, Research and Sport Ministry. The expenditures will include transport, clothing, accommodation, meals, health care, insurance and other organisational costs incurred by the teams. The ministry assumes that a 130-strong team will depart for the Olympics in Rio, including 60 athletes competing in individual disciplines and a management team of 50. Among those invited are the president, the prime minister and education minister. The estimated number of those taking part in the Paralympics is 60-75. As at the previous Summer Olympics in London in 2012, athletes who rank at least eighth at the Olympics or sixth at the Paralympics will receive financial rewards from the state. It has been set at €22,500 for gold, €17,500 for silver and €12,500 for bronze in individual contests and at €7,500, €6,500 and €5,500 respectively for team members.