Italia Team victories 'cost' Coni almost 5 million

Let it be clear, this is money that the Italian Olympic Committee is delighted to give. But the extraordinary victories of the Italia team in these Winter Games, with performances far beyond expectations, have proved particularly costly for the Italian Olympic Committee's coffers. When we are halfway through the event, the 22 medals, eight golds, four silvers and 10 bronzes won by the Azzurri equate to prizes of 4.920 million euro before taxes. Above all, because Coni rightly wanted to pay a full prize - 180 thousand for the most valuable metal, 90 for second place and 60 thousand for the last step on the podium - to all those who competed in the conquest of the podium, so when the victory is a 'team' victory the bill goes up. And so far the 22 medals have translated into 48 monetary bonuses. Federica Brignone and Francesca Lollobrigida are the 'richest' so far, and with two golds each they took home a cheque for 360,000 euros.

On the fantastic Sunday of 15 February alone, the medals won (two gold, one silver and one bronze) translated into 780,000 euros in prizes. The third place snatched in Val di Fiemme by Elia Barp, Davide Graz, Martino Carollo and Federico Pellegrino in the 4x7.5 km cross-country relay corresponds to a total prize of 240,000 euro.

The bronze medal in the figure skating team event 'cost' 420 thousand euros equally divided between the participants in the competition. The two golds in the pairs luge won in half an hour earned the two Italian pairs 360 thousand euros. The steepest victory for the Italian Olympic Committee so far, however, is the one achieved in the short track by the mixed relay. The six members of the ice team secured a cheque for EUR 1.80 million.

If Italia is enjoying a first-class Winter Olympics, and is currently only behind Norway in the medals table, with the associated economic outlay, it must also be said that Coni is not the only one to pay economic rewards to its champions. More often then governments directly give money or other benefits to their top athletes. According to a Forbes analysis, out of 92 participating countries, 37 have provided prize money.

Generosity stands out especially in those countries with low odds of winning. Singapore is among the most magnanimous in the world, with gold prizes ranging from $800,000 to $1 million. Hong Kong follows closely behind with $768,000. Poland offers $355,000 and a pension from the age of 40, a monthly scholarship for two years and an extra bonus of $31,000. In addition, the gold winner receives a furnished flat, a Toyota Corolla, jewellery, a painting and a trip. In Kazakhstan, the prize for gold is $250,000, but placings up to sixth place are also rewarded with $5,000. Rich bonuses for gold are also awarded in Cyprus ($177,000), Bulgaria ($151,000), Lithuania ($133,000), Kosovo ($130,000 and if the athlete should also set an Olympic record, another $236,000 would be added), Estonia ($118,000) and the Czech Republic ($117,000).