Overview
- Modern golds are predominantly silver with about six grams of gold, putting 2026 melt estimates around $2,300–$2,500 based on elevated metal prices reported this week.
- Team USA continues Operation Gold payouts of $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver and $15,000 for bronze, placing it near the lower end of countries that pay medal bonuses.
- Ross Stevens’ $100 million gift is being implemented at these Games, granting U.S. Olympians and Paralympians $200,000 in deferred benefits per event, independent of medal results.
- New country comparisons show stark disparities: Singapore offers about $792,000 for gold and Hong Kong about $768,000, while host Italy pays roughly $214,000 for gold.
- Some nations provide extras or no bonuses at all, with Poland adding a car and apartment to six‑figure awards, Norway and Great Britain offering no medal cash, and the IOC paying no prize money.