FOR most athletes, the dream of an Olympic medal is enough to motivate them to achieve at the highest level.
But some countries have taken things a step further and offered a number of incentives for their stars to perform.
RexDjokovic could be in for an unusual financial reward[/caption]
RexAthletes from Hong Kong are in line to earn the most from a gold[/caption]
GettyThings are a little more complicated for the Brits[/caption]
These range from one-off cash prizes, to early pensions and even the chance to build a property portfolio.
US business magazine Forbes reached out to all 206 countries and territories participating to ask what was on offer should their stars win a medal.
15 nations or territories offer a cash prize of over $100,000 (£77,750) if their athletes win gold.
Hong Kong offered the most to their participants for winning a medal, with gold medallists given £587,300 and £295,500 offered for silver.
Israel offer £213,900 for gold, £149,000 for silver and £106,000 for bronze.
But some countries offer more unusual incentives.
RexPoland are offering unusual rewards to their athletes[/caption]
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Countries that pay most for winning gold
Hong Kong £587,300
Israel £213,000
Serbia – £169,900
Malaysia – £166,800
Italy – £152,800
Lithuania – £141,900
Moldova – £133,300
Latvia – £120,800
Hungary – £120,000
Bulgaria – £108,400
Ukraine – £97,500
Kosovo – £93,550
Estonia – £85,000
Czech Republic – £80,300
Spain – £79,500
As well as paying their gold medallists £63,000, Poland give every medallist a painting by a “talented and respected” Polish artist, an investment grade diamond and a holiday voucher for two from a travel agency.
As a one off to celebrate Poland’s 100th year of competing in the Olympics, gold medallists will also be given a two bedroom apartment in Warsaw.
Seven bizarre moments you might have missed from the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony
PARIS 2024’s epic four-hour long Opening Ceremony provided some spectacular, X-rated… and downright bizarre moments.
Here are some of SunSport’s highlights.
Lady Gaga wowed the crowd by the River Seine as sang a cabaret set… in FRENCH.
But it didn’t go to plan for one poor dancer who FELL OFF the stage.
Fans watching on TV were left in stitches by some of the dad dancing on show.
And one dancer gave a BILLION fans viewing worldwide far more than they bargained for with an Inbetweeners-style X-rated wardrobe mishap.
In the UK, BBC viewers were all switching over to Eurosport when they found out who was hosting.
Fans were stunned to see a forgotten Premier League winner as his nation’s flag-bearer on the Seine procession.
While some viewers were worried Serena Williams was going to THROW UP during a very choppy boat ride with the Olympic torch.
But for those that win gold in a team sport, this will only be a one bedroom flat.
Serbian athletes who win a medal are eligible for a national pension that begins at 40 – which Novak Djokovic could be in line to claim despite a reported £189million net worth.
New Zealand structure their bonuses over four years, with athletes receiving £31,100 annually until the next games.
But according to Forbes, Britain do not offer any medal bonuses.
Instead, they offer grants after the Olympics towards training costs.
British Athletics, who look after Britian’s track and field team do pay out bonuses independently of the government.
And all athletes that win medals do also win money from the athletics governing body.
World Athletics pay around £40,000 per gold medal and set aside £1.89million to pay track and field athletes.
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