How Much Do Olympians Really Make Beyond That Medal
So how much do Olympians really make, beyond their medals?
No, Olympic athletes aren’t paid to compete, but when they win, they absolutely do get a little somethin’ somethin’ from their home countries.
How Much Do Olympians Really Make
The U.S. Olympic Committee is paying out $37,500 per gold medal this year, $22,500 per silver, and $15,000 for each bronze. That’s actually on the LOW END. Some countries give out way more.
Serbia is at the top of the list, with $214,000 per gold medal. Although, at the time of this writing, they only have two gold medals so far, so they’re paying out far less than the U.S. Malaysia and Morocco are also in that range.
Australia pays $20,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. And gold medal winners also get that long and narrow package that contains the official Paris Olympics poster (designed by illustrator Ugo Gattoni). Winners also get a stuffed medal-winning Phryges, the official mascot of the 2024 Paris Games.
Singapore reportedly had a $737,000 bounty on gold medals back in 2021. They REALLY wanted to win one for their country. But unfortunately, they didn’t win ANY medals that year. Their last medal was a gold in the men’s 100m butterfly in 2016.
Gymnast Carlos Yulo of the Philippines just became his country’s first male gold medalist, and he’s getting some big private sector gifts: A condo, a house, free food for life, plus about $450,000 from his government.
How Much Are 2024 Olympic Medals Actually Worth
Fun facts to know and tell: The actual “gold” medals are mostly made of silver, and they’re worth about $950. And all of the medals this contain metal from the Eiffel Tower in them – a piece of Paris to mark the medal winners Paris, 2024 victories. A tradition I hope they continue with medals, by adding something from a historic structure, or monument of the country they are in.
The gold medals haven’t actually been pure gold since 1912. According to Forbes, if the gold medal was made of pure gold, it would be worth approximately $41,161.50. That is based on the price of gold, which fluctuates in price each day.
This years Olympic gold medal is worth approximately $950, the silver medal is worth $486, and a bronze will only get you $13 at the scrapyard. But athletes, please don’t!
And again, all the medals contain original iron that was used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower, which is pretty cool!
So, how much do Olympians really make beyond that medal? A lifetime of memories, and something that can never be taken away from them. Oh, and of course – Snoooooo-ooop!
