Bizarre rewards Olympic 2024 medal winners get from their nation, from holiday vouchers to a two bed apartment

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 incentives for their stars to bring home some gold, silver or bronze.

Rex

Rex

Getty

Rex

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.

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.

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

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But for those that win gold in a team sport, this will be reduced to 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 Team GB’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.