A juicy financial carrot has been dangled in front of the South African athletes who will represent the nation at the Rio Olympic Games next month. Following uncertainty over whether the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) would be able to afford incentives to encourages participants to chase medals at the global showpiece‚ the federation confirmed that those who returned back home as medallists when the Games come to an end on August 21 will find their bank balances healthier.Individual athletes‚ teams and relay teams that earn gold medals will be incentivised with R500 000. The coaches will get a R100 000 share of the winnings‚ with R400 000 going to the athlete or team.A silver medal will be worth R250 000 – R200 000 going to the athlete or team and R50 000 to the coach.A third spot on the podium (bronze) will be worth R100 000‚ with R80 000 for the athlete and the coach bagging R20 000.“Ladies and gentlemen‚ we have tried our best‚” Sascoc president Gideon Sam said.“At some point we were wondering whether we would have these incentives. But thanks to all our sponsors who came forward.” Sascoc and the athletes are hopeful that they will improve on the six medals (three gold‚ two silver and one bronze) SA returned with from the 2012 Games in London.They are also hoping for an improvement on the overall medal-winners' standings after finishing 23rd four years ago. - TMG Digital..