Photo credits: bo zhang

13 Top Countries Paying Olympic Athletes for Medals

When it comes to Olympic glory, some countries go the extra mile to reward their athletes with generous payouts that make the grueling years of training worth it.

While winning a medal is an achievement in itself, according to data from CNBC, athletes in these 13 nations can also expect hefty cash bonuses that sweeten the victory.ย 

1. Hong Kong  

Photo credits: micaela parente

๐Ÿ… Gold: HK$6 million ($768,000)  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: HK$3 million ($384,000)  

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: HK$1.5 million ($192,000)  

Hong Kong athletes are making serious bank, with a 20% increase in payouts since the Tokyo Olympics. Winning gold here could set you up for a good while!

2. Singapore  

Photo credits: hu chen

๐Ÿ… Gold: SG$1 million ($745,000)  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: SG$500,000 ($373,000)  

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: SG$250,000 ($186,000)  

Singapore doesnโ€™t hold back with its million-dollar rewards. Joseph Schooling, who won gold in 2016, is the only athlete to claim this top prize so far.

3. Indonesia  

Photo credits: jeremy bishop

๐Ÿ… Gold: $345,000  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $138,000  

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $69,000  

Coming in number 3 – Indonesian medalists get more than just money; they might also receive cows, a meatball restaurant, or even a new house. Who knew gold could taste so good?

4. Israel  

Photo credits: robert bye

๐Ÿ… Gold: $270,000  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $216,000

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $135,000 

Israel’s athletes enjoy a significant increase in payouts from previous games, with gold medalists now earning a million shekels.

5. Kazakhstan  

Photo credits: viktor hesse

๐Ÿ… Gold: $250,000  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $150,000  

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $75,000  

Kazakhstan offers not just cash but also apartments to its medalists, making it a golden opportunity for their top athletes.

6. Malaysia  

Photo credits: esmonde yong

๐Ÿ… Gold: 1 million ringgit ($216,000)  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: 300,000 ringgit ($65,000)  

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: 100,000 ringgit ($22,000)  

Malaysian gold medalists might also drive away in a foreign-made car, thanks to extra incentives from private companies.

7. Spain

Photo credits: karsten winegeart

๐Ÿ… Gold: $102,000

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $52,000

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $33,000

Spain offers cash rewards to its Olympic medalists, with gold medalists receiving โ‚ฌ94,000 ($102,000), silver medalists earning โ‚ฌ48,000 ($52,000), and bronze medalists being awarded โ‚ฌ30,000 ($33,000). These payouts reflect Spain’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the hard work and success of its top athletes on the global stage.

8. France  

Photo credits: bo zhang

๐Ÿ… Gold: $87,000

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $43,000

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $22,000

The host nation has increased its rewards, making the Paris Games even more rewarding for French athletes.

9. South Korea  

Photo credits: daniel bernard

๐Ÿ… Gold: $45,000  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $25,000

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $18,000

South Korean athletes have the option of taking a lump sum or a lifetime pension, making their golden years just as rewarding as their athletic ones.

10. United States  

Photo credits: jacob rice

๐Ÿ… Gold: $38,000  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $23,000  

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $15,000  

While the U.S. might not top the charts in payouts, its athletes still receive a decent bonus to accompany their medal.

11. Japan  

Photo credits: su-san-lee

๐Ÿ… Gold: $32,000 

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $13,000 

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $6,000

Japan rewards its Olympians with cash bonuses that help soften the financial blow of years of intense training.

12. Poland  

Photo credits: maksym harbar

๐Ÿ… Gold: $25,000  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $19,000 

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $14,00  

Polandโ€™s silver medalists not only get a substantial cash prize but also enjoy additional perks like a painting, a holiday voucher, and even a diamond!

13. Germany  

Photo credits: roman kraft

๐Ÿ… Gold: $22,000  

๐Ÿฅˆ Silver: $16,000 

๐Ÿฅ‰ Bronze: $11,000

Germanyโ€™s payouts extend to the top eight finishers, ensuring that even those who narrowly miss the podium donโ€™t go home empty-handed.

These top 13 countries show that winning an Olympic medal is not just about gloryโ€”itโ€™s also about securing a financial future.

While the amount varies, the message is clear: Hard work and dedication pay off, especially if youโ€™re aiming for gold. ๐Ÿฅ‡