MatchKit founder Mike Sharman on crowdfunding our Olympic medalists

Dreams came true at the Tokyo Olympic Games last week for two of our own. Tatjana Schoenmaker won the gold medal and set the world record in the 200-metre breaststroke and also won the silver medal in the 100-metre breaststroke, while Bianca Buitendag won the silver medal in the women's shortboard competition. These extraordinary achievements fueled uproar from South Africans upon the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s announcement on Monday - Women’s Day - that these incredible athletes would not be paid bonuses for their medal wins. In response to this announcement by SASCOC, Mike Sharman - the founder of MatchKit - took to Twitter saying that in “2016 Wayde van Niekerk earned R500,000 for winning gold and an extra R150,000 for breaking a World Record and Chad Le Clos earned R200,000 for a silver. By this standard, Tatjana Schoenmaker should be rewarded with at least R850,000 and Bianca Buitendag R200,000.” A rational response and one which led to a vigorous crowdfunding campaign which raised R100,000 in the first hour - a testament to the South African spirit. BizNews spoke to Mike Sharman, whose passion was nothing short of infectious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices