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Awards for record setters announced

By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-30 07:20

The Kunlun jade trophy. Provided to China Daily

GUANGZHOU - A special trophy and a large purse will be given to athletes who break world records at the Asian Games.

The Asian Games organizing committee announced the new Mt Kunlun World Record Award for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games on Thursday in the host city.

The award is sponsored by the JDB Group, which will also provide the official drink water, Kunlun Mountain natural mineral water, at the Asiad.

The award will be given to all gold medalists who also break world records at the games. Each of them will also get $10,000 prize money to go along with a special trophy made of valuable Kunlun jade.

"I'm very glad the organizing committee has set up such an award to encourage the Asian athletes," said Cai Zhenhua, China's vice sports minister. "I hope the Chinese athletes will do well and break world records at the games."

Zhang Lin, China's first male world champion swimmer, said the new award provided extra incentive to do well.

"When I broke the world record at the Rome World Championships, I was so proud as a Chinese athlete," said Zhang, who won gold in the men's 800 meters freestyle at the 2009 Worlds. "I hope I can do well here in Guangzhou this time as well."

At the Doha Asian Games four years ago, seven world records were set.

China Daily

(China Daily 10/30/2010 page16)