Get to know the Hong Kong athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano‑Cortina and their journey to the world stage.

Singapore ranks highest, but top-of-table Norway and other nations do not pay their athletes anything for a podium finish.

Winning an Olympic medal brings pride to any athlete. Many countries also add cash rewards for those podium finishes. Using data shared by USA Today for the 2026 Winter Olympics (25 countries responded to the site’s query),

The 21-year-old has gone from family ski trips to becoming a city flag bearer and competing in the women's slalom at the highest level Hong Kong alpine skier Eloise King Yung-shih has settled into Cortina d'Ampezzo,

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics have brought together thousands of elite athletes, all chasing a place on the podium. While medals are the most visible reward, financial incentives also play a significant role for competitors from certain countries, where governments and sporting bodies offer substantial payouts for podium finishes.

Team USA's Olympic gold payout may surprise you - especially compared to the nearly $800K offered elsewhere.

For athletes at the ongoing 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, a podium finish can come with six-figure checks.

According to the report, the United States is paying athletes $37,500 for a gold medal, $22,500 for silver and $15,000 for bronze. That is the same amount athletes received for winning medals at the 2022 Winter Games and 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, according to the report.

South Korea’s leading figure skater, Cha Jun-hwan, has been named the most handsome male athlete competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics by fashion

There's no greater honor than winning an Olympic medal, but cold hard cash is also on the line. Which country pays the most at the 2026 Winter Olympics?