Some Olympic Athletes Are Pocketing $792,000 for Winning a Gold Medal. Here’s Which Countries Pay the Most.
The IOC doesn’t award prize money, but some countries offer six-figure payouts and more for a podium finish at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games.
For some Olympic athletes, a gold medal isn’t just about the glory. .
While the International Olympic Committee awards no prize money, many countries offer their own cash bonuses to podium finishers. Singapore is the most generous, offering $792,000 for an individual gold medal. Hong Kong isn’t far behind at $768,000 for gold.
Poland takes a creative approach, giving gold medalists $211,000 plus a Toyota Corolla, a two-room apartment, a painting, a holiday voucher, and jewelry. Italy, the host nation, offers $214,000 for gold. South Korea awards $208,000—and some athletes receive Omega watches.
Then there’s the United States, which awards gold medalists just $37,500. That seems pretty stingy until you learn that Norway, which boasts the most medals in Winter Games history, pays nothing at all.
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For some Olympic athletes, a gold medal isn’t just about the glory. .
While the International Olympic Committee awards no prize money, many countries offer their own cash bonuses to podium finishers. Singapore is the most generous, offering $792,000 for an individual gold medal. Hong Kong isn’t far behind at $768,000 for gold.
Poland takes a creative approach, giving gold medalists $211,000 plus a Toyota Corolla, a two-room apartment, a painting, a holiday voucher, and jewelry. Italy, the host nation, offers $214,000 for gold. South Korea awards $208,000—and some athletes receive Omega watches.
Then there’s the United States, which awards gold medalists just $37,500. That seems pretty stingy until you learn that Norway, which boasts the most medals in Winter Games history, pays nothing at all.
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