Russia's Olympians make bank reselling Putin's gift BMWs - New York Post

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For sale: Brand-new BMW. Would-be perk of being an Olympic medalist. Re-gifted from global strongman.

It’s become a tradition under President Vladimir Putin for Russia’s Olympic heroes to be showered with gifts — such as the fleet of BMW cars doled out to dozens of medalists at the Kremlin last week. But the prizes aren’t always welcome. Several of the flashy cars quickly made their way onto the re-sale market as the Russian athletes find them impractical or financially onerous to maintain.

Russian media have documented at least three cases in which athletes tried to flip the splashy rides for tens of thousands of dollars.

According to a Russian news site, an anonymous female athlete sold her BMW for 7 million rubles — which comes out to a whopping $107,500 — to a fan with a suitcase full of money.

Russian Olympic medalists pose with president Vladimir Putin.Photo: CEN

In another case, per R-Sport, an online advertisement — with photographs showing the car still covered in stickers celebrating Russia’s medal haul — offered one of the BMWs (X6 series) for 4.67 million rubles, or $72,000. The ad was quickly withdrawn, though it was unclear whether the sale was completed. The seller, allegedly a member of the gold-medal-winning women’s synchronized swimming team, had said the car was too big and unwieldy.

Cycling bronze medalist Denis Dmitriev put his name to his sale, per CEN. He wrote on Instagram: “I already have my favorite blue BMW, though I more often use my bicycle than I do my car. Every Olympic medalist has his own dream — a family, kids, the Tokyo Olympics. We believe that the best decision for our family is to sell this car. I am sure that the car that was given to me will be of great use to its new owner.” He’s offering to sell his X3 for 3.1 million rubles, roughly $47,500.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Olympic synchronized swimming champion Svetlana Romashina at the BMW presentation on Aug. 25.Photo: Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP

It’s not clear how much it costs the Russian government to secure the cars. State TV channel Rossiya 24 reported the BMWs are provided by the Olympians’ Support Fund, which is backed by a group of Russia’s richest men.

While online commenters mostly supported an athlete’s right to sell expensive Olympic gifts, many were critical of the government for a display of conspicuous consumption at a time when Russia’s pension and healthcare systems are under financial strain. Still others have criticized the car sellers for not being gracious to Putin.

Dmitriev with his bronze medal won at the Rio Olympics.Photo: CEN

“It is not polite to sell presents, especially if the present was from the president,” one commenter wrote.

Figure skater Maxim Trankov, who received a Mercedes SUV after his gold medal at the Sochi Games in 2014, said few Olympians could afford to own such cars.

“Has no one thought that these gift cars are not only liable for the tax on luxury items, but also aren’t cheap to run and earnings can’t cover it?” he wrote on Twitter. “I’d sell mine too if it came to it … Or does everyone think all sports pay as well as soccer, hockey or tennis?”

Gymnast Seda Tutkhalyan said she wouldn’t be able to drive her new BMW because at 17 years of age she was too young to have a license.

With AP

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