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Mugabe Cashes Out Zimbabwe's Olympic Medalists

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Aug 30, 2008 8:45 am US/Pacific

Mugabe Cashes Out Zimbabwe's Olympic Medalists

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) ― The president accused of impoverishing Zimbabwe has handed out $148,000 to the nation's Olympians, most of it to a top-performing swimmer.

The government-controlled Herald newspaper reported Saturday that Robert Mugabe announced the awards during a brief ceremony Friday. He called Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe's "golden girl" and gave her $100,000.

Coventry won three silvers and a gold at the Beijing games. She showed off her medals during a parade through Harare earlier this week.

The Herald said Mugabe gave three others on the 13-member Olympic squad $10,000 each. Each of the remaining athletes got $2,000.

Many Zimbabweans are unable to afford food and other basics. The opposition blames the economic collapse on Mugabe. Mugabe blames the West.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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