As we watch the 2024 Paris Olympics, the world is amazing by the talent that these athletes possess. I think it’s a common misconception that these athletes aren’t paid anything for their time. Sure, they get endorsement deals and advertising partnerships, which bring in the big bucks. But, thankfully, Olympic USA winners are paid and compensated when they win a medal, so long as their home country has the infrastructure in place to compensate them.

Frankly, the fact these athletes get paid for winning isn’t common knowledge. Even if you consider yourself to be an Olympics expert, you might not know how much Olympic team USA winners are paid. You might even be shocked to hear that winners are paid anything. In the U.S., winning athletes paid from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee if they get a medal. Of course, all of these athletes are winners to just get to the games, but you have to score a gold, silver or bronze to really get paid.

Olympic USA Winners Are Paid for Bringing Home Medals

When athletes bring home a gold, silver or bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they get some prize money. The amount of money and overall compensation varies based on where the athlete is from, but that said, in the U.S.A, it’s the same amount for all sports and genders. According to the experts at Forbes.com, for Team USA athletes, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee gives gold medalists $37,500, silver medalists $22,500 and bronze medalists $15,000. So, yes, Olympic USA winners are paid.

It’s nice to see these athletes get that cash, and it means a lot to athletes who have various jobs to make ends meet. Of course, for some players, such as members of Team USA basketball, that’s not much money. I think those players should donate their winnings, and I’m sure many of them do. Either way, they’re getting a once-in-a-lifetime experience by being at the Olympics.

As for other countries, some of them actually pay their athletes more than the U.S. A survey from USA Today Sports found that athletes from countries such as Malaysia, Morocco or Serbia would earn about $200,000 for winning the gold. Also, at least six other countries, including Italy, give more than $100,000 to their athletes that win the gold. Other countries also give compensation in the form of housing, vacations, extra cash for breaking Olympic records and more.

According to Forbes.com, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee also offers eligible athletes and their dependents a healthcare package, which could be much more valuable than the money. That insurance helps athletes and their families have access to therapy, medical care, mental health, vision and the ability to go to three top sports medicine clinics in California, Colorado and New York. So, that’s another way Olympic USA winners are paid.

I think it’s absolutely right that these athletes are being paid money and health benefit in exchange for their hard work. It’s the least we can do, since many of these athletes are struggling to be by, with so much time spent in training. It also encourages athletes to participate for multiple years, which increases their chances of bringing home a medal.