China is considering raising cash bonus for its Olympic medal winners at the 2004 summer Games opening next month in Athens.

"We have worked out several plans, but it's not up to us to make final the decision. They must be approved by the State Council," Li Furong, deputy chef-de-mission of the Chinese Olympic delegation, said in an interview with China Central Television over the weekend.

Li declined to disclose details of the plans.

Cash bonus for gold, silver and bronze medal winners at the last Olympics in Sydney was 150,000 yuan (about US$18,000),80,000 yuan (US$9,600) and 50,000 yuan (US$6,000) respectively.

However, Li said that athletes shouldn't expect too much, given China's nature as a developing nation. "Although you have earned honor for the motherland and therefore deserve some awards, the amount has to be kept at a reasonable level," he added.

The per capita income of China's urban residents now stands at around US$1,000 a year.

China, which won 28 golds and ranked third in the medal tally (only after the United States and Russia) four years ago in Sydney, is sending 407 athletes to compete in 203 events in 28 sports in Athens.

At a press conference last week, Li said that it would be "normal" if the Chinese could win more than 20 golds in Athens, but to repeat the Sydney feat would be "very difficult".

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2004)