Regardless of whether they win a medal, each athlete on the United States national team participating in the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics will receive 200,000 dollars (about 290 million won) as a reward.
Whenever the Olympics are held, it is customary for governments around the world to offer large bonuses to encourage their national teams. The United States normally does not provide separate prize money. This time as well, the U.S. federal government will not pay any bonuses.
However, American business magnate Ross Stevens recently donated 100 million dollars to the United States Olympic Committee, giving Team USA athletes an unexpected windfall. According to the Wall Street Journal, Stevens said he wanted the 100 million dollars to be used to support the athletes' financial stability.
Stevens' donation will not be paid out as a lump sum. Half will be received either 20 years after the athlete competes in the Olympics or when the athlete turns 45, and the remaining 100,000 dollars will be paid to the athlete's family after the athlete dies.
New Zealand will pay 5,000 New Zealand dollars (about 4.3 million won) per person as prize money for an individual gold medal (in events with four or fewer competitors per team).
Poland, in a unique move, plans to pay medal bonuses in cryptocurrency. An athlete who wins a gold medal is expected to receive about 120,000 euros.
Germany will pay 30,000 euros in gold medal prize money and has decided to exempt that amount from income tax.
In addition, the Czech Republic has prepared 2.4 million koruna, and Canada has prepared 20,000 Canadian dollars, as gold medal bonuses.
South Korea will pay 67.2 million won as a gold medal bonus, and male athletes who win a medal will receive special military service exemption benefits.
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