Olympic medalists receive life-changing rewards from home countries

Beyond the lifelong honor and title, many Olympic medalists also receive substantial gifts and benefits from their home countries, such as bonuses, new apartments, or inclusion in pension programs.

Hong Kong and Israel are notable for offering the largest rewards to their Olympians. In Hong Kong, athletes who win Olympic medals can receive up to $768,000. Generous prizes are also given to those who rank high but do not win medals; fourth-place finishers receive up to $100,000, and those in fifth to eighth place receive $50,000.

In Israel, athletes competing in individual sports receive $275,000 for a gold medal, $192,000 for silver, and $137,000 for bronze. Team athletes receive comparable, tax-free amounts, divided among team members.

Italian athletes also receive substantial rewards regardless of whether they compete individually or in teams. Gold medalists receive $196,000, while silver and bronze medalists get $98,000 and $65,000, respectively.

In other countries, rewards extend beyond monetary bonuses. In Poland, gold medalists receive a bonus of $82,000 and other podium finishers receive various gifts such as diamonds, vacation vouchers, artwork, and apartments in Warsaw.

Countries like Serbia, Malaysia, and Bulgaria offer lifelong gifts to their Olympians. In Malaysia, athletes receive between $400 and $1,100 monthly for life. Other nations, including Chile and Estonia, also provide monthly stipends but for shorter periods. Lithuanian medalists receive up to $182,000 and rental coverage post-retirement.

In comparison, American athletes receive relatively modest bonuses, with gold medalists earning $37,500. While some American athletes like Stephen Curry and LeBron James are among the highest-paid Olympians, many invest more in their careers than they earn, often requiring additional employment to support themselves.