Do Olympian athletes get payed when they win a medal?

Question

Do Olympian athletes get payed when they win a medal?

Answer 1

Yes and no, some countries do, while others don't. I hate to break it to many of you, but the U.S. is one of those that do. The U.S. pays around $25,000 for gold, $10,000 for silver and $7,000 for bronze. Canada has a similar pay scale, implemented for the first time this year.

Answer 2

American athletes do not get paid for winning a medal. However, those athletes who win medals and are charismatic will get endorsement deals from a variety of different companies. In this way, they wind up getting paid for winning.

In a sense you could say it's a reward for all the sacrifices they have made in order to reach that level. In the case of gymnasts and ice skaters, the practically give up their childhood to compete on the international level.

I can't speak for other countries. However, I do recall hearing that in some countries, training to be an Olympic athlete is/was their job and they are paid a salary for doing so.

Answer 3

Nope, they are doing this for their country.

Answer 4

In some countries, yes.  In the US, no.  However, winning a medal might get them advertising endorsements from products such as Campbells Soup, Nike, Wheaties, etc.  However, the younger athletes have to be careful.  If they take any advertising money it will bar them from participating in College athletics.

Kerry Strugg (gymnast) is a good example.  She was going to go on and compete in college gymnastics but after her 1 legged-gold winning vault she was getting endorsement offers all over the place.  She had to give up college sports for the security the money could offer her.  

Answer 5

Sigh... so much for the benefits of the spell checker...

If you mean "paid" the answer is that some do and some don't.  It depends which country they're from.

Answer 6

It depends. I know there was one country Gabon I think, that has never won an olympic medal and the leader of the country told the athletes representing that country that if they won they'd get a free home and "untold riches". And I know Speedo is going to give Michael Phelps 1 mil if he wins all 8 gold. Canada also told their athletes that if they won a medal, they'd win 20 grand or something.