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. It’s about the payday.
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.
Sign up for the Entrepreneur Daily newsletter to get the news and resources you need to know today to help you run your business better. Get it in your inbox.
For some Olympic athletes, a gold medal isn’t just about the glory. It’s about the payday.
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.
Sign up for the Entrepreneur Daily newsletter to get the news and resources you need to know today to help you run your business better. Get it in your inbox.
