Canadian sponsor to pay $1 million for luge gold
Any Canadian slider to reach the podium will also receive a bonus.

Associated Press | February 9, 2010 | read source

The gold medal for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be a pretty penny for a Canadian luger who wins one.
Associated Press

WHISTLER, B.C. (AP) - A Canadian luge gold medal will be worth $1 million, thanks to a team sponsor.

Fast Track Group, an Alberta-based company that bills itself as a financial education specialist, is putting up $1 million for a Canadian gold, to be split between the champion Canadian luger and the Canadian Luge Association.

The company also is offering $50,000 for silver and bronze, plus $5,000 for the top Canadian in each luge event.

A medal is considered a long shot. The team's best hopes are Calgary sliders Alex Gough and Sam Edney.

The 22-year-old Gough is ranked seventh in the world; the 25-year-old Edney is ranked 15th.

The Canadian Olympic Committee also has promised a medals bonus, with $20,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze.