[indie.star]

Believe it or not I didn't actually know that they get paid for winning a medal until the Olympics started, but I was just wondering, how much is it that they get paid?

[grassmarket]

Nothing.

I think some countries olympic commitees pay out some money but the actual olympics itself does not

I don't think the UK does but I believe the USA does.

[EPY]

I've read that in the US, they get $25,000 for Gold, $15,000 for Silver and $10,000 for Bronze. But I can't find the link that proves this sorry. I'm not sure about the UK though...

[indie.star]

Oh okay, it doesn't matter. I was only wondering anyway.

[TommyGavin76]

A lot of them will have sponsorship deals that pay out if they get medals as well.

[Anachrony]

Originally Posted by EPY

I've read that in the US, they get $25,000 for Gold, $15,000 for Silver and $10,000 for Bronze. But I can't find the link that proves this sorry. I'm not sure about the UK though...

I'd never heard of that before. But if its true its still only a nominal amount relative to the years of effort put in.

[LostFool]

Originally Posted by EPY

I've read that in the US, they get $25,000 for Gold, $15,000 for Silver and $10,000 for Bronze. But I can't find the link that proves this sorry. I'm not sure about the UK though...

No wonder Phelps is looking so happy!

[Anachrony]

Originally Posted by LostFool

No wonder Phelps is looking so happy!

Oh he stands to make enough money that that will be meaningless to him. He'll make millions with endorsements, books, public appearances, etc.

[afx237vi]

Isn't Phelps already on a $1m bonus from Speedo if he wins 8 golds?

[nibsco]

Originally Posted by indie.star

Believe it or not I didn't actually know that they get paid for winning a medal until the Olympics started, but I was just wondering, how much is it that they get paid?

I thought I heard today that the S Koreans get $(?)50,000 for a gold.

Edit: during the BBC coverage

[SULLA]

I prefer the old days when they pretended to be amateurs.

[afx237vi]

Originally Posted by SULLA

I prefer the old days when they pretended to be amateurs.

A lot of the sports still are. The other guy in synchro diving (ie, not Tom Daley) works in B&Q apparently.

But for the high profile "amateur" events like swimming, track and field... those days are looooooong gone.

[Simon Jackson]

Eg Chris Chatterway and Roger Bannister in the 1950s moved onto politics and doctoring after their careers ended. The Olympics used to be more like the University Games

[zounds]

Russia bonuses for Olympic medal winners

...the committee has proposed raising the bonus to US$100,000 (€64,000) for gold medal winners, US$60,000 (€38,000) for silver medal winners and US$40,000 (€25,000) for bronze.

The Russian government has been rewarding medal winners since the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, giving US$50,000 to gold medal winners, US$20,000 to silver medal winners and US$10,000 to bronze medal winners.


British Bonuses

In athletics all British medal winners in Beijing will be given an Alfa Romeo of their choice after UK Athletics, the governing body, signed a sponsorship deal with the car maker.

Gold, silver and bronze medallists in track and field will also be given cash awards (£5,000 for gold, £4,000 for silver and £3,000 for bronze) paid for by Norwich Union. A third sponsor will ensure that athletes will be able to toast their success by supplying magnums of gold, silver and pink champagne.

[dsweetenham]

Originally Posted by afx237vi

Isn't Phelps already on a $1m bonus from Speedo if he wins 8 golds?

Better than that he 'only' needed 7 to equal Spitz, although I think he made $6m last year so he's not short of a bob or two.

[Lila Rose]

How much does Bolt stand to make, approx?