This Is How Much Canadian Athletes Earn For Winning At The 2026 Olympics

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have officially begun, and Canada is off to a good start with two medals already under their belt. With plenty more games to go, Canada is sure to grab a bunch more before the competition is up.

But have you ever wondered what Canada’s athletes get for winning their games? Besides the glory and the medal, here’s exactly what they earn for each gold, silver, and bronze they take home.

Athlete Excellence Fund

Canadian athletes earn performance awards through the Athlete Excellence Fund (AEF), which is the Canadian Olympic Committee’s (COC) support and reward program. Eligible athletes are able to get some major cash by winning Olympic gold, silver or bronze medals. The AEF also provides $5,000 in funding for performances at World Championships during non-Olympic years, covering living, training, and competition expenses.

The concept of a direct athlete support and incentive program was first introduced by the COC in 1997 with its ‘Athlete Fund.’ In 2003, the Athlete Fund transitioned into the Performance Recognition Support Program (PRSP) and awarded each Canadian athlete $5,000 for finishing in the top-5 at World Championships or Olympic Games.

 

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The AEF came along in 2006 as an evolution of the PRSP, and the Athletes’ Commission developed the current criteria for the AEF. Canadian athletes are able to earn awards for each medal won at an Olympic Games, with performance awards being the same whether the athlete is from a team sport or an individual sport.

How Much Do Canadian Athletes Get For Winning Medals At The Olympics?

The awards are as follows in a four-year cycle:

• Year 1: Top 5 at World Championships – $5,000
• Year 2: Top 5 at World Championships – $5,000
• Year 3: Top 4 at World Championships – $5,000
• Year 4: Olympic Games:
  • Gold medal – $20,000;
  • Silver medal – $15,000;
  • Bronze medal – $10,000.

Canadian athletes get some pretty nice prizes for winning medals at the Olympics, especially if they get the gold. Be sure to cheer on Team Canada as the games continue!