Money, cars or nothing at all: an overview of the Olympic bonuses

One million per month for an Olympic victory – for life. However, this gold bonus may not be enough for South Korea's winter sports enthusiasts to live in luxury; one million won is the equivalent of only 747 euros. What is more tempting is the exemption from compulsory military service for every medal winner at the host of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang. When it comes to their Olympic bonuses, some nations are inventive, others are generous and some are stingy. Here is a cross section.

Paris, Filehner & Co. are offering up to 270.000 euros The generous ones: An Italian Olympic champion receives 150.000 euros immediately and an additional 30.000 euros annually for four years. There are similar regulations for silver and bronze with slightly less money. The Latvians, who pay a whopping 140.000 euros for gold, and the Lithuanians, who reward an Olympic victory with 115.800 euros and a car, also don't let themselves be spoiled. A Bulgarian Olympic champion also receives a significant boost to his account balance with 127.000 euros.

The pension model: In addition to a tax-free bonus of up to 50.000 euros for gold, every Polish medalist receives a lifelong, tax-free pension from the age of 40. 2.600 zloty, which is around 620 euros, are transferred monthly. For comparison: in Poland the average gross wage is just under 1.000 euros.

The relay model : In the Netherlands, the first gold is worth more than a second or third Olympic victory. A prize of 25.500 euros is being offered for a triumph in Pyeongchang. For example, if speed skating superstar Sven Kramer were to win more often, he would only receive 16 euros for gold number two, while a third gold would only bring in another 830 euros. However, as a sports millionaire, Kramer has almost already taken care of himself.

Model Germany: German winter athletes can only dream of the bonuses for Joachim Löw's footballers. Manuel Neuer & Co. will receive 350.000 euros per man if they defend their title at the World Cup in Russia. The German Pyeongchang participants will be rewarded with 20.000 euros for a gold medal. Second place will receive 15.000 euros and bronze will receive 10.000 euros. However, Sporthilfe is now discussing abolishing this regulation in favor of a pension.

The tax savers: Thanks to a law passed under former President Barack Obama, American Olympians are now exempt from the so-called victory tax. The US athletes now have significantly more of the 50 percent increase in bonuses of up to $37.500 for gold. For stars like Lindsey Vonn, these sums are probably peanuts.

The stingy ones: For Swedish medalists there is traditionally nothing but fame and honor. At the Summer Games in Rio, the Swedish committee is only giving away the Olympic mascots. That should be the case this time too: Soohorang and Bandabi. The Norwegians also don't pay any money to their new cross-country skiing superstar Johannes Kläbo and the other medal winners. You would qualify for a sports scholarship of up to 12.000 euros next year. This is reduced if the athlete earns more than 50.000 euros per year. And that applies to almost all Norwegian stars.

And Russia? Even if the Russian athletes are only allowed to compete under a neutral flag at the games in Sochi this time due to the doping manipulation scandal, there will be bonuses from the Putin government if they are successful. It would be four million rubles (56.700 euros) for gold. The home regions often offer additional subsidies. The Olympic champions also receive a luxury car. But after the Summer Games in Rio, the first car given as a gift was offered for sale on the Internet just one day later.

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Money, cars or nothing at all: an overview of the Olympic bonuses

Gold is the greatest thing an athlete can achieve. The motto is not just “Being involved is everything” – there is also something to earn. But in most cases you won't get rich that way.

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