While the International Olympic Committee will not award prize money to the winner of the 2024 Paris Olympics, many countries and regions will offer incentives to athletes in the hope that they will win a gold, silver or bronze medal.
Many are financial, but the rewards can be more eclectic—from exemption from mandatory military service to cars, dairy cows, apartments, and even free food delivery.
Here, AFP Sport introduces some of the rewards for gold, silver and bronze medals around the world:
South Korea
Olympic medals of any color exempt athletes from the 18-month mandatory military service that all able-bodied men must serve before the age of 28.
Gold medals at the Asian Games have done the same, with star footballer Son Heung-min famously winning gold in Jakarta in 2018 by avoiding wearing camouflage.
The country’s six archery athletes won four of the five gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, with cars provided by Hyundai Motor Co., which sponsors the team.
Poland
The gold medal winner in the individual event will receive a cash prize of PLN 250,000 (USD 63,000), a two-bedroom apartment, a diamond, a painting and a holiday voucher.
Silver and bronze medalists will also receive generous cash and other gift awards.
Indonesia
Apriyani Rahayu and Greysia Polii, who won women’s badminton doubles gold in Tokyo three years ago, have reportedly received offers ranging from new homes from real estate developers to social media influence Meatball restaurant and other rewards provided by the player.
The district chief in Apriani’s home province of Southeast Sulawesi also promised her five cows, a plot of land and a house, state news agency Antara reported.
Another report said state-owned company PT Pegadaian promised to give two people three kilograms of gold.
Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said they can enjoy free holidays in five major tourist destinations in the country.
Jordan
When athlete Ahmad Abu Ghaush won the country’s first gold medal in the men’s 68kg taekwondo competition in Rio, the National Olympic Committee gave him 100,000 dinars (140,000 dollars), and his coach gave him about half the bonus.
Abu Ghaush also received many other awards and gifts from local companies, including a car and a luxury watch, while King Abdullah II awarded him the Order of Distinction, First Class.
Filipino
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines’ first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and was awarded two estates and promoted to sergeant in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino told AFP he had previously provided houses and land to medalists at his own expense.
Iraq
Iraqi football players were each given more than 9 million dinars ($7,200) and a piece of land to qualify for the Olympics, according to officials.
Weightlifter Ali Ammar Yasir was given a car and land after qualifying for the Olympics and was promised a million dollars if he brought home a bronze medal or better.
Malaysia
Malaysia’s first athlete to win Olympic gold in Paris will not go hungry as delivery and transport company Grab has pledged to provide free food orders for a year.
They will also receive a Chery SUV and a luxury apartment from real estate developer Top Residency, the government said.
India
When Neeraj Chopra won the javelin gold medal in Tokyo, IndiGo promised him unlimited free air travel for a year and a new seven-seater SUV from a businessman.
Singapore
After Joseph Schooling made history by beating the great Michael Phelps to win gold in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics, ride-hailing service Grab offered him and his His family provided free transportation for a year, which he shared with a blind masseur and a disabled person.
Singapore Airlines donated 1 million air miles, while the government provided 1 million Singapore dollars (US$750,000) for each gold medal.
Hongkong
The Hong Kong government has awarded Paris gold medal fencers Priscilla Kong and Cheung Ka-lang lifetime passes on Hong Kong’s subway system and promised to extend the same offer to all other medalists.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club also offers a HK$6 million (US$770,000) bonus to individual gold medalists.
Gym chain Pure is offering lifetime memberships to all 35 Hong Kong athletes competing in Paris, and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific said it would provide all medal winners with free business class travel for a year.
