21 June 2004 05:15
A Gold Medal for Generosity?
ByLine: Frank Brown
June 21 issue - Things are looking up for the tiny Olympic squad from Georgia, thanks to a $2.25 million gift from
Badri Patarkatsishvili, the country's richest man. The sum will cover 80 percent of the team's costs. Athletes
and coaches are ecstatic. But others sense more than philanthropy at play. That's because Patarkatsishvili is
charged with committing fraud and embezzlement at Russia's largest car manufacturer, Avtovaz. At the same time
Georgia's new president, Mikhail Saakashvili, is cracking down on corruption. Some believe that Patarkatsishvili, a
media and bottled-water tycoon, is making a bid for public opinion in the hopes of evading prosecution. He's
"been scared into giving this money," says Labor Party leader Shalva Natelashvili. A Patarkatsishvili
spokeswoman says such comments don't deserve a response; Patarkatsishvili says he was inspired to help the
35-member team through his interest in water polo. To prove his devotion he now says he'll give $100,000 to every
gold medalist. No athlete is more likely to see that windfall than freestyle wrestler Eldar Kurtanidze, 29, who has won
two bronze medals. Thanks to Patarkatsishvili, his $100 monthly government stipend has increased to $1,000.
"Before, I didn't live. I just survived," says Kurtanidze, who resisted offers from Uzbekistan and
Germany to change citizenship and join their teams. His patriotism has been rewarded. It's unclear whether
Patarkatsishvili's will, too.
[Newsweek International] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
