The decision to reward UAE medalists at the Beijing Olympics was announced by Ibrahim Abdul Malik, the general secretary of the UAE National Olympic Committee (NOC) and general secretary of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare.

The winner of gold at Games will be rewarded one million dirhams (272,480 U.S. dollars) for his/ her effort, Malik said.

Anyone winning a silver will be paid 750,000 dirhams while a bronze medalist will get 500,000 dirhams, he added.

The Beijing Olympics is a historic Games for the nation, Malik said, adding that "it's a historic participation due to the big delegation we are taking part with."

The UAE will send a team of eight athletes to Beijing, which is the largest delegation ever sent by a Gulf country to the Olympic Games.

Among the eight athletes, the most promising gold winner is Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum, who won the UAE's only Olympic gold medal in Athens in Men's Double Trap.

Seven other athletes will be competing in shooting, taekwondo, equestrian, judo, sailing, swimming and athletics.