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| Published Wednesday, April 14, 2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Despite the economic and health crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic since 2020, President Carlos Alvarado announced the government budget of approximately $603,700 to give in bonus to athletes.
"Despite the current difficult situation due to the pandemic, we do not stop working in coordination to advance the dream of our athletes to reach the top, with feats that have given us so much joy," Alvarado said.
The beneficiaries of the aid are 117 athletes, 59 men and 58 women, who are part of 22 athletic teams.
The first list of scholarship recipients is made up of chess players, water sportsmen, athletes, billiards players, bowlers, boxers, cyclists, fencing players, players of the National Soccer Team, judo players, weightlifting athletes, surfers among many others.
The economic aid per person was previously established by the Permanent Commission of National, it is from $80 to $1,300 per month, from March to December, which depends on the category of the beneficiary, whether for amateur or high-level skill.
According to Karla Alemán, Minister of Sport, in addition to financial aid, athletes have free services to athletes offered in the Sports Health Clinic and the Physical Conditioning Gym which are managed by the Institute of Sports.
In the clinic and gym, athletes receive medical care, physical therapy, nutrition, psychology, training, as well as advice on sports ethics provided by the National Anti-Doping Commission.
Among the athletes most recognized for her achievements in world competitions is Andrea Vargas who will receive $1,300 per month.
In September 2019, Vargas, won third place in the women's 100-meter hurdles, with a time of 12.84 seconds, in the Zagreb World Challenge, which took place in Croatia.
In the same year, she won second place in the race Gala de Castelli in Switzerland. In that competition, Vargas reached the finish line in 12.86 seconds, "just a second behind the winner, Cindy Ofili from the U.K.," the Sports Committee reported at the time.
In August 2019, Vargas won a gold medal for the Women's 100m hurdles in the 2019 Pan American Games, held in Lima, Peru. She was the only Costa Rican athlete that won a gold medal.
Another famous athlete to receive the monthly bonus of approximately $1,140 is the surfer Brisa Hennessy.
Hennessy is a member of the national surf team. She already has obtained a spot for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
In January 2020, Hennessy won the Women Qualifying Series 5,000 Corona Open, WQS championship, which was held in Riyue Bay, Hainan Island, China.
The ministry is in the process of choosing another group of athletes who will receive the financial aid.
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What have you heard about bonuses to athletes in your country during the pandemic? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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