Zimbabwe’s Mugabe gives Olympic swimmer $100,000
HARARE, Zimbabwe The president accused of impoverishing Zimbabwe has handed out $148,000 to the nation’s Olympians, greatest in number of it to a top-performing swimmer.
The government-controlled Herald newspaper reported Saturday that Robert Mugabe announced the awards during a compendium ceremony Friday. He called Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe’s “golden young unmarried woman” and gave her $100,000.
Coventry won three silvers and a gold at the Beijing games. She showed off her medals during a parade through Harare earlier this week.
The Herald said Mugabe gave three others in succession the 13-member Olympic squad $10,000 either. Each of the remaining athletes got $2,000.
Many Zimbabweans are unable to impart food and other basics. The opposition blames the economic collapse on Mugabe. Mugabe blames the West.
Original text: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008148443_apzimbabweolympics.html?syndication=rss
