Singapore sprint queen Pereira gets big bonus for slew of int'l medals

At the Major Games Award Programme ceremony on Wednesday night she received an award of S$315,000 (US$235,900) for winning the Asian Games 200m gold and 100m silver and SEA Games gold medals.

Sailor Ryan Lo got S$210,000 for winning gold in the Asian Games and SEA Games.

"Having this extra prize launches us to a new level in our careers," Pereira told The Strait Times.

"Any extra support is amazing help for athletes in the lead-up to major competitions," she said.

The Singapore National Olympic Council and Tote Board give away total bonuses of S$2.3 million ($1.7 million) to Asian Games and SEA Games medalists.

The rewarded athletes are required to donate 20-50% of their bonuses to the national sports association.

Singapore’s 554-member contingent won 51 golds, 43 silvers and 64 bronzes in the SEA Games in May.

At the Asian Games from Sept. 3 to Oct. 8, Singapore claimed three golds, six silvers and seven bronzes.

Pereira’s gold was Singapore’s first in the Asian Games since 1974.

In July, the 27-year-old had also won the 100m and 200m at the Asian Athletics Championship.

In August, in the World Athletics Championships 200m event, she became the first Singaporean to reach the semifinals by clocking 22.57 seconds, in the process also qualifying for the Olympics.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11.