EACH Russian medallist from the Sochi games has been given a Mercedes by the prime minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Mr Medvedev gave away dozens of white Mercs, decorated with the Russian Olympic team logo. And as some of Russia's star athletes, like 15-year-old figure skater Julia Lipnitskaia or 17-year-old teammate adelina Sotnikova, don't even have their licences yet, Mr Medvedev provided them with a driver - all services paid. After an embarrassing sixth-place finish in the medals table at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Russia finished at the top in Sochi.
Mr Medvedev says that it is important for the government to continue supporting athletes financially.