Israeli Olympic hopefuls receive financial support from gov't

JERUSALEM, Mar. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Olympic Committee invested in 2007 an average of NIS 375,000 (103,000 US dollars) in each of the 13 Israeli Olympic hopefuls for the 2008 Beijing Games, local media reported Monday.

The Israel Olympic Committee's budget for supporting athletes finances the hiring of a coach, training program, the purchase of equipment, and participation in international meets.

According to Israel Olympic Committee figures, the country's top 13 athletes received a total of NIS 3.4 million (934,000 dollars) . Each athlete received about NIS 31,200 (8,571 dollars) per month.

The incentives is part of the financing support to the athletes, and it increases in proportion to the athletes' success. An athlete is eligible for a NIS 50,000 (13,736 dollars) bonus for each win in an international competition.

Gal Friedman, the Israeli athlete who obtained the largest support in 2007 will not be participating in the Beijing Olympic Games, after failing the Olympic trials. He won the gold medal in the Mistral windsurfing competition at the 2004 Athens Games.