The 2024 Paris Olympics wrapped up after 17 days of competition, highlighting the generous bonuses many countries had promised their medalists.
Forbes reported that Italy pays the highest bonuses to its Olympic medalists.
Several nations promised substantial bonuses to their medalists before the Paris Olympics. Italy stands out by committing the highest amount, $10.7 million, for its athletes.
Italy plans to reward gold medalists with $196,000, silver medalists with $98,000, and bronze medalists with $65,000. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Italy secured 12 gold, 13 silver, and 15 bronze medals. This marks the country’s best performance since winning 13 gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The host country, France, secured 16 gold, 26 silver, and 22 bronze medals, setting its medal bonus at $9.4 million. The United States, which topped the medal count, is estimated to distribute around $8.3 million in bonuses.
Following the U.S. are Hungary with $3.8 million and Hong Kong with $1.9 million.
Ukraine and Israel both ranked sixth in medal bonuses, offering $1.5 million each. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ukraine won 3 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals, while Israel secured 1 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze.
The Netherlands will award $1.3 million, while Poland and New Zealand will each provide $1 million. Ten countries are estimated to offer bonuses totaling over $1 million.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, which awarded $1.37 million to a single silver medalist at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, did not win any medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
