Sports

2026 Winter Olympics medal payouts for athletes

For athletes at the ongoing 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, a podium finish can mean more than glory and a medal. In some countries, it also comes with watches and six-figure payouts.

Nearly 2,900 athletes from more than 90 national Olympic committees are competing at the Winter Games across 116 medal events across eight sports.

While the International Olympic Committee does not award prize money, many governments and national Olympic bodies offer cash bonuses.

Here is how some countries stack up, based on information compiled by CNBC from national Olympic committees, sports associations and local reports.

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/j1RHA/1/ Singapore tops the payout rankings for the 2026 Winter Games.

The Southeast Asian nation offers about $792,000 for an individual gold medal, $395,000 for silver and $197,000 for bronze, making it the most generous gold-medal payout among the countries reviewed.

Singapore has only competed in one previous Winter Games, the 2018 edition, where short-track speedskater Cheyenne Goh finished 28th in the women’s 1,500 meters.

The country is again represented by a single athlete in Italy: alpine skier Faiz Basha, who failed to finish the first run of the giant slalom at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio, ending his campaign in a field of 81 athletes.

Hong Kong, which has sent alpine skiers and short-track speedskaters to compete in Italy, offers roughly $768,000 for gold, $384,000 for silver and $192,000 for bronze. The city has yet to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.

In Europe, Poland stands out not only for the scale but also for the variety of its rewards. Individual gold medalists can receive about $211,000. The package also includes a Toyota Corolla passenger car, a fully finished two-room apartment, a painting, a holiday voucher and jewelry.

Paintings and jewelry are also part of the entitlements offered to silver and bronze medalists, along with monetary rewards of about $169,000 and $124,000, respectively.

Italy, the host nation, offers about $214,000 for gold, $107,000 for silver and $71,000 for bronze.

South Korea awards about $208,000 for gold, roughly $139,000 for silver and $70,000 for bronze.

In some cases, rewards extend beyond standard medal bonuses. South Korean state media reported that snowboarder Choi Ga-on received 300 million won from her sports association after winning gold, while private companies also presented additional gifts, including a luxury watch from Swiss brand Omega.

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee awards $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver and $15,000 for bronze.

Glory only, for some

That said, not every winter sports powerhouse pays direct prize money.

Norway, which boasts the most medals in Winter Games history, does not award cash bonuses for podium finishes. Instead, athletes who continue competing may qualify for financial support from the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The stipend is worth roughly 160,000 Norwegian kroner per year ($16,831) and includes access to professional training and medical services.

In some countries, there is no publicly disclosed medal bonus scheme. The United Kingdom does not award cash bonuses for Olympic medals, meaning Team Great Britain athletes will not receive additional payments for podium finishes in 2026. Instead, financial support is provided through UK Sport, which uses National Lottery funding to back training, coaching and athlete development.

China also does not publish a standardized national payout structure for Winter Games medals, with rewards often determined at the provincial or sponsor level.

An Olympic medal represents years of sacrifice and training. In a high-stakes competition decided in seconds, a podium finish can also bring a life-changing payout.

CNBC

Football

Ronaldo Hails Almería After Win

Cristiano Ronaldo gave his first message to the UD Almeria squad as co-owner following the side’s 3-0 win over Cultural Leonesa on Monday night in La Liga 2.

In late February news broke that Ronaldo had taken a major step into club ownership after acquiring a 25 percent stake in Spanish side Almeria through his CR7 Sports Investments company.

Speaking on the decision the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, said: “It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch.”

A commanding victory over Cultural Leonesa saw Almeria climb back into second place in the in the Spanish second division, an automatic promotion spot, prompting praise from Ronaldo for the team’s performance.

Following the game, Ronaldo posted a picture of the Almeria team celebrating on his Instagram story, with text which read “Great win today. We continue.”

After suffering relegation last season, Almeria are firmly in the fight for promotion from La Liga 2. The side currently sit second in the table, just four points behind leaders Racing de Santander, with their recent victory over Cultural Leonesa providing another positive step in their push to secure an immediate return to the Spanish top flight.

Football

Australia urged to protect Iran players after anthem backflip

The Australian government has been urged to allow the Iran women’s national team players to remain in Australia after a state-aligned conservative commentator in Iran described them as “wartime traitors” and said they must be “dealt with more severely”.

The Iran players are currently competing in the Women’s Asian Cup, and lost 4-0 to the Matildas on the Gold Coast in their second group-stage match on Thursday.

Their final match is against the Philippines on Sunday night, after which they are due to return home to Iran.

Footage shared on social media platform X on Friday showed Iran state television presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi accusing the team of dishonour for not singing the national anthem before their first match against South Korea on Monday.

Before kick-off in their match against the Matildas on Thursday, the Iran players sang the anthem and saluted in a clear contrast to their approach to the anthem on Monday.

Iran head coach Marzieh Jafari and team staff during the national anthem before facing Australia in the Women’s Asian Cup. Photograph: Nigel Owen/Action Plus/Shutterstock

Refugee Council chief executive Paul Power said: “certainly on the evidence that’s available, it would appear that the members of the women’s soccer team are at risk if they’re returned”, noting that people in Iran involved in “quite simple acts of peaceful protests have suffered dire consequences”.

Germany-based Iranian journalist Ali Bornaei tagged foreign minister Penny Wong on X alongside the footage, calling on the Australian government to afford the team protection.

“The lives of the Iranian Women’s National Football Team are in imminent danger. After their peaceful protest in Australia, Iranian state-linked media has officially labeled them ‘wartime traitors’,” Bornaei posted.

“In Iran, ‘treason’ is a capital offense punishable by death. These athletes face arbitrary detention and execution if forced to return.”

Iran’s women’s team refuse to sing national anthem before Asian Cup tie – video

Wong said the Australian government “stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression”.

“They have suffered brutal acts of violence and intimidation, with women in particular being oppressed by the regime,” she said.

“We have called on the Iranian regime to protect its own people and allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.”

Wong added: “We hope the Iranian team’s participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will inspire future generations of young Iranians to continue to promote women’s rights and participation in sport.”

The minister for home affairs, Tony Burke, has responsibility for Australia’s humanitarian migration program. He declined to comment.

Power said Australia ratified the refugee convention to address these specific circumstances, but the country is not obliged to act unless a claim is made.

“This whole system is designed to protect people in circumstances like this, but ultimately it’s up to the individuals to decide what is best for them and for the people that they’re connected to.”

A large victory by Iran over the Philippines on the Gold Coast on Sunday could secure the team a place in the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed sides across the Asian Cup’s three pools.

Australia meet South Korea in Sydney on Sunday to decide the winner of Group A.

The Guardian

Football

Turkish football club distributes Iftar meals in Gaza

Turkish football club MKE Ankaragücü organized iftar distributions in Gaza, delivering meals to 1,500 children as part of its Ramadan campaign to support those in need.

MKE Ankaragucu, a Turkish football club which is currently playing in the TFF 2. Lig, has organized iftar distributions in Gaza as part of its ongoing campaign to help people in need in the Palestinian enclave.

In an official statement on its social media channels, MKE Ankaragucu reiterated its commitment to reminding children facing hardship in Palestine and elsewhere that they are not forgotten during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, while calling for greater support and participation.

The announcement included video footage documenting the distribution of iftar packages to 1,500 children in Gaza.

Turkish football clubs have shown widespread tribune solidarity during matches, with fans displaying banners, Palestinian flags, and messages of support.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced that the Gaza ceasefire has more than doubled monthly food aid compared to before the truce, with coordinated efforts continuing under improved access as of late February 2026.

Amid harsh winter and displacement, one million people are receiving full assistance packages that include food parcels, hot Ramadan iftar meals, fresh bread, and cash transfers.

A News