Cash prize for world records at Asian Games

Anyone who breaks a world record at this month's Asian Games will be rewarded with 10,000 US dollars, organisers have announced.

Anyone who breaks a world record at this month's Asian Games will be rewarded with 10,000 US dollars, organisers have announced.

They will also get a jade trophy under an initiative called the Mount Kunlun World Record Award for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games.

"I'm very glad the organising committee has set up such an award to encourage the Asian athletes," said Cai Zhenhua, China's Vice Sports Minister.

"I hope the Chinese athletes will do well and break world records at the Games."

Zhang Lin, China's first male world champion swimmer, said the new award provided extra incentive to do well.

"When I broke the world record at the Rome world championships, I was so proud as a Chinese athlete," said Zhang, who won gold in the men's 800-metre freestyle.

"I hope I can do well here in Guangzhou this time as well."

Seven world records were set at the Doha Asian Games four years ago.

The Guangzhou event runs from November 12-27 and features 45 nations and territories competing in 42 sports

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