New Delhi: The 2024 Olympics, which come to a close Sunday, have witnessed the world’s greatest athletes win medals for their countries through their stellar performances. While the official awards from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are limited to medals, most countries have their own ways of rewarding athletes who achieve Olympic glory.
These rewards are not standardised and can vary depending on the country. Nations offer their Olympic champions a range of incentives, from substantial cash bonuses to lifetime honours.
The countries at the top of the table include the US, which has won most of its gold medals (14) in athletics, and China, which has won most in diving (8), shooting (5), and table tennis (5). Australia has won most of its medals in swimming (7), Japan in artistic gymnastics (3) and wrestling (6), and Great Britain in rowing (3).
In the Tokyo Olympics 2020, the US was at the top in the total medal count (113) as well as the number of gold medals won (39). China was next, with a total of 89 medals and 38 gold.
The 2024 Paris Olympics features 32 sports with over 329 events. A total of 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have participated. As many as 10,500 athletes are competing.
A total of 754 sessions (competitions and ceremonies) have taken place. The Olympics started on 26 July and are ending Sunday.
ThePrint highlights the rewards given to medal-winning athletes by the top countries in the tally table.
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Top-ranked nations’ awards
US: In the US, Olympic success comes with substantial financial rewards as its gold medallists receive $37,500 (approximately Rs 31.48 lakh) from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Beyond the cash prizes, swimmer Katie Ledecky, who won gold at the Olympics, has secured lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Speedo and Nike.
National sports organisations also have their own programmes to reward athletes, with USA Wrestling’s (an organisation governing free-style wrestling in the US) Living The Dream Medal Fund offering $250,000 for Olympic gold medals and USA Swimming (national governing body for competitive swimming in the US) offering $75,000.
USOPC will give a cash prize of $22,500 to silver medallists and $15,000 to bronze medallists. It also provides grants and benefits such as health insurance to the participants.
As of now, the US has the highest number of gold medals in athletics (14), of all countries. Its medal tally is 122, with 38 gold, 42 silver and 42 bronze.
China: In China, Olympics champions are revered as national heroes, with the nation giving importance to winning gold as opposed to winning just any medal. China is a dominant force in badminton, table tennis, and gymnastics. Those who bring gold in this year’s Olympics will be awarded a substantial cash prize of ¥1,000,000 by the Chinese government. Also, a luxury apartment is a common reward for top athletes in China.
As of now China’s medal tally is 90, with 39 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze.
Australia: In Australia, Olympic medallists are celebrated with a mix of financial and symbolic rewards. As of now, Australia’s medal tally is 50, with 18 gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze.
In Australia, gold, silver, and bronze medallists receive bonuses of AU$20,000, AU$15,000 and AU$10,000, respectively. This is likely to go up as Australia prepares to host the 2032 Games.
Japan: The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) also gives rewards to athletes who win medals. It awards 5 million yen to gold medallists, 2 million yen to silver medallists, and 1 million yen to bronze medallists. If an athlete wins medals in more than one competition, the reward money increases in accordance with the number of medals won. The reward money is tax-free.
As of now, Japan’s medal tally is 43, with 18 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze.
France: In France, Olympic champions are not only celebrated with pride but are also generously rewarded. French athletes who win medals at this year’s Olympics will receive €80,000 for gold, €40,000 for silver, and €20,000 for bronze.
French athletes also benefit from lifetime pensions, and the country ensures that their contributions to the nation’s sporting glory are recognised long after they retire from competition. As of now, France’s medal tally is 62, with 16 gold, 24 silver and 22 bronze.
France has increased the amount from the last Olympics held in Tokyo.
In addition to these, World Athletics, the international governing body for athletics, has announced prize money for all winners this time. The International Boxing Association (IBA) announced that it would pay $100,000 for gold medals in boxing.
Meanwhile, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan has been awarded $50,000 for winning the gold medal in Men’s Javelin throw, which is equivalent to about 1.39 crore in Pakistani rupees.
How India rewards athletes
India’s Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports gives a financial bonus of Rs 75 lakh to gold medallists, Rs 50 lakh to silver medallists, and Rs 30 lakh to bronze medallists.
Shooter and Olympic bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh from Haryana will receive Rs 2.50 crore and a job from the state, along with a Rs 22.5 lakh cheque from the ministry.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will award Rs 75 lakh to the men’s hockey team, with Hockey India giving an additional Rs 15 lakh to each player and Rs 7.5 lakh to the support staff.
Odisha’s chief minister announced rewards of Rs 15 lakh for each player and Rs 10 lakh for the support staff, with Amit Rohidas receiving Rs 4 crore for his contribution. Punjab and Madhya Pradesh will each award Rs 1 crore to hockey players from their states.
Manu Bhaker received Rs 30 lakh from the sports ministry, Rs 22.5 lakh from the IOA, and Rs 2.50 crore from the Haryana government, with a public sector job offer.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for shooter Swapnil Kusale, who also secured a special duty post with the Central Railway.
Silver medallist Neeraj Chopra and bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat will also receive rewards from the central and state governments.
Haryana’s sports policy grants Rs 6 crore to Olympic gold medallists, Rs 4 crore to silver winners, and Rs 2.5 crore to bronze medallists. India’s medal tally currently stands at six, with one silver and five bronze.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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