Singapore kitefoiler Max Maeder awarded S$250,000 for historic bronze at Paris Olympics

SINGAPORE: There was a sizable cheque for Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder to add to a growing collection of awards and titles, after he received a S$250,000 (US$190,000) prize for his historic Olympic bronze at the Paris Olympics.

Maeder was presented with the cheque during the Major Games Award Programme (MAP) presentation and appreciation dinner at Swissotel The Stamford on Wednesday (Oct 23).

"The smart choice is to save and to invest it ... we'll see. It will definitely be put to very good use, either helping my sport or my family," Maeder told reporters.

"I can now buy more (kitefoiling) gear sets without worrying too much, but I think I will use it for furthering the development in sports, and also being able to help my brother, especially with his gear as well.

"I can help him, I can help my family, that's a wonderful thing. It feels great."

The MAP, which is a Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) initiative, rewards Southeast Asian, Commonwealth, Asian and Olympic Games medallists.

Sponsored by the Tote Board, Team Singapore medallists receive a cash payout based on the major Games event and medal won. 

An athlete will be awarded S$1 million for an Olympic gold, S$500,000 for a silver and S$250,000 for a bronze. The only athlete to have received the top award was swimmer Joseph Schooling, who won the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Games.

It is mandatory for all athletes to give a percentage of their MAP awards to their respective National Sports Associations for future training and development. In Maeder's case, he will need to give 20 per cent of his prize money, or S$50,000, to the Singapore Sailing Federation. 

"There's a part of this that goes to the Sailing Federation and I'm happy that there's a part, because I feel that the most fulfilling thing of me being an athlete so far is to be able to uplift others through my sport, however it may be," he said.

The MAP awards are also taxable.

"The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of sporting achievement, where the world’s finest athletes gather not just to compete, but to embody the highest ideals of excellence, friendship and respect," said SNOC president Grace Fu, who is also Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.

"Our athletes in Paris did just that – representing Singapore with passion, resilience and unwavering determination.

"They carried the hopes of a nation and stood tall on the world’s grandest stage."

Also attending the event were Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Olympians such as Yeo Jia Min, Shanti Pereira, Loh Kean Yew and Amita Berthier as well as Maeder's parents Hwee Keng and Valentin.

A total of 23 athletes represented Singapore at the Paris Olympics, with 15, including Maeder, making their Games debut.

"We all do sport together, and having that celebrated is, of course, outstanding. I'm happy that it is celebrated in Singapore, I'm grateful that they recognise it so well, and give us athletes a chance to have a nice night like this," said Maeder.

MAEDER'S STANDOUT YEAR

Maeder's bronze was Singapore's sixth Olympic medal and meant that he became the country's youngest Games medallist. He ended Singapore's eight-year wait for an Olympic podium finish since Schooling won gold in 2016. 

He is also Singapore's first Olympic sailing medalist.

The 18-year-old, who is the world's top-ranked kitefoiler, has been in stunning form this year. Prior to taking to the water at the Olympics, Maeder won five consecutive competitions, including the world championships where he defended his title.

He has continued in a similar vein post-Olympics.

In September, Maeder won the Austrian leg of the KiteFoil World Series and followed that up by winning the 2024 Formula Kite Asian Championships in Daishan, China.

The following month, he retained his IKA KiteFoil World Series title after winning its Italian leg, before topping the open event at Formula Kite Youth European Championships in Sardinia, Italy.

At the Singapore Sports Awards in June, the Asian Games gold medallist took the Sportsboy of the Year honour for the third consecutive time.

Maeder is also among the nominees for the inaugural Young World Sailor of the Year award at the 2024 World Sailing Awards.

"I'm grateful to be among those great sailors ... to be shortlisted in the first place is huge," said Maeder, who hopes to inspire Singaporeans by winning the award.

To encourage voters, the curry puff-loving 18-year-old promised that should he take home the award, he would work for one day at a "curry puff store".

"It will be the first time that a Singaporean has managed to be nominated and win an event like this. I think it will be an inspiration to say, 'sailing is something that is great to pursue, or Singapore is a sailing nation'," he explained.

"To inspire that would mean a lot, and who doesn't want to be around curry puffs for the whole day?"