Olympic 100m silver medallist Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago. - Charles Pitt

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC

Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson has raked in TT$1 million (US$162,000) for his efforts in Beijing, after government rewarded him for his outstanding achievements at the 29th Olympiad on Monday.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning made the announcement at a celebration function held late Monday, as the country welcomed home its track stars amidst much fanfare.

Two silver

Competing in his first Olympics, the 23-year old captured silver in the 100 metres and returned to anchor the sprint relay team to another silver medal.

Manning said Thompson would receive $750,000 in cash, along with $250,000 in shares from the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), a mutual funds company.

He also revealed that the other members of the relay team - Marc Burns, Aaron Armstrong, Keston Bledman and Darrel Brown - would each receive$500,000 in cash and $250,000 in shares from the UTC.

"We believe that Richard Thompson won two silver medals and he is the million-dollar-man. He will get an additional $250,000 for a total of $1 million from the government and people of T&T," Manning announced as the large crowd erupted into loud cheers.

Manning said the Central Bank had been authorised to provide financial advice and counselling to the national heroes.

Love of sport

Thompson pointed out the team's success at the Olympics was for the love of the sport and not necessarily to be rewarded by anyone.

He admitted, however, that the team appreciated government's gesture.

"We are certainly satisfied with what has been given to us, and we know it will go a long way," he said.

"The greatest feeling ever in my entire life [was] winning those two silver medals. The greater feeling was the pride of wearing red, white and black (national colours) and representing T&T at the highest level."

He added that the T&T team planned to turn the Olympic silver medals into gold at the Caribbean Games next year, and to be the dominant team in the London Olympics in 2012.

Thompson said he hoped the Olympic success would go a long way in helping to change the prevailing situation of crime and violence in the country.