How much money do US Olympians get for winning medals?

MILAN, Italy — While love of the game drives Olympic and Paralympic athletes to compete, numerous nations also offer paid bonuses to athletes for the medals they win.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee launched “Operation Gold” to give athletes stipends and support their training and competitions. The grants are awarded to athletes who finish in the top three places in their competition at each Olympic Games and to athletes who finish in the top eight places at the World Championships.

The Committee’s 2026 Operation Gold program awards athletes the following amounts based on the medal they win, according to U.S. Paralympics Swimming officials:

• Gold medal winners get $37,500
• Silver medal winners get $22,500
• Bronze medal winners get $15,000

Unlike other large nations at the Olympics, the U.S. government doesn’t reward its Olympians with any cash prizes for competing, so athletes have largely had to rely on company sponsorships or the sale of broadcast rights.

But, a billionaire’s donation before the 2026 Games will ensure athletes’ financial security regardless of whether they win or lose.

Ross Stevens, the founder and CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group, donated $100 million to start a program that will give $100,000 payments and matching life insurance benefits for anyone who earns a spot on Team USA, starting in 2026 and going at least through the 2032 Games.

“I do not believe that financial insecurity should stop our nation’s elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers of excellence,” Stevens said in a statement when the donation was announced.