RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling left Rio de Janeiro known as the man who defeated Michael Phelps. And as a millionaire.
In addition to winning the gold medal after beating Phelps with an Olympic record in the 100 meter butterfly, the 21-year-old Schooling also took home a reward of 1 million Singaporean dollars (about US $750,000) from his national Olympic committee.
Singapore was among the many countries offering hefty cash prizes to their medalists at the Rio Games, a practice that has become more common as nations continue to give greater importance to the final medal count.