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Flames captain will donate gold-medal cash
By
RANDY SPORTAK, QMI Agency
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Jarome Iginla hasn't seen the $20,000 he's slated to receive for winning gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Nor does the Calgary Flames captain plan to pocket it.
Iginla, who is known for donating cash to charity, said he intends to donate the dough from the Canadian Olympic Committee to charity.
"I don't know if guys are going to talk (to the media) about it," Iginla said. "It is personal. I didn't hear anybody say (on the Olympic team) they were going to keep it."
The COC will award each gold medallist $20,000.
However, since all 23 players on the men's hockey team make hefty salaries -- in Iginla's case US$7 million this season -- there has been an outcry about giving them cash.
"I was pumped about that Own the Podium funding and thought Canada did awesome with the medals," Iginla said. "I'm really huge behind that one -- it gives the athletes a chance. They're able to train and compete with other countries."
Own the Podium has a charitable arm for donations, through the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
Iginla, who set up Sidney Crosby's gold-medal winning goal in overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory, didn't want to say which charity he planned to donate it to.
"But I really like that program," Iginla said. "I think it has a new name."
