Remember how Sha’Carri Richardson and her compatriots re-established America’s dominance at the 2024 Paris Olympics? For the unversed, U.S. athletes have always dominated raw speed events. The team had won about 13 medals from the ten sprinting events at the 2004 Athen Games. But as soon as the 2008 Beijing games rolled around, the scales were about to tip in Jamaica’s favor. Usain Bolt clinched gold in the 100m and 200m finals, and Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce bagged gold in the 100m and 200m events. 

The island nation returned to Kingston with five gold sprinting gold medals compared to America’s single gold. But Team USA shook things up in Stade de France. They topped the charts with 126 total Olympic medals, 34 in the track and field landscape. On the other hand, Jamaica could only muster up 6 medals. Even though the Jamaica vs. the USA debate momentarily ended with these performances, a recent announcement put the former above their American counterparts. What are we hinting at?

Jamaica handsomely rewards its Olympic athletes

The island nation has always reigned over the track circuit with an iron fist. In fact, they claimed 11 medals in Rio and 9 in Tokyo. However, despite their disappointing stint in the French capital, the country nabbed its first medals in the men’s shot put and discus events. As a result, the Jamaican Government announced through the Ministry of Sport that it would reward its Olympic delegation with JMD$45 million ($288,000). 

But wait, there’s more. This reward will be given out as appreciation scholarships to 66 athletes and 21 support staff members for their performance in the French capital. In fact, at the ceremony held in Kingston, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange gave several athletes and coaches symbolic envelopes. On the other hand, the delegation received an additional JMD$20 million ($128,341) as a part of the Athlete Assistance Program. This amount was for the preparations leading up to the Paris Games.

This monumental gesture showcased how the Government of Jamaica was grateful for their delegation’s achievements at the Summer Games. However, it also shines a light on how they will continue to support the sporting development of athletes as they represent the island nation on the world’s grandest stage. But Jamaica wasn’t the only one who handed out hefty cash rewards, Team USA offered financial rewards for nabbing winning medals in Paris.

What financial rewards did the American athletes receive? Gold medalists walked away with $37,500, silver medalists received $22,500, and bronze medalists nabbed $15,000. Additionally, World Athletics announced that all gold medal-winning athletes in the 48 track and field events would receive $50,000 each from the international governing governing body. Along with this, relay teams would also be rewarded with $50,000, which would then be split between its members. Even though Team USA took back the track and field crown from Jamaica, the nation’s prize money created a massive $250,000 gap between the fierce rivals. So, how much did the American athletes walk away with after their dreamy Parisian stints? 

How much did Sha’Carri Richardson and Co. receive after the Olympics?

Even though American athletes primarily wouldn’t earn a cash prize simply for participating, World Athletics raised the bar with their announcement. By offering monetary rewards to athletes for winning gold at the games, WA broke a 128-year-old Olympic record. Quite historic, don’t you think?

Sha’Carri Richardson had quite a rough start to her debut Olympic stint. The sprinter was slated as the pre-race favorite for the 100m event. But with 10.87 seconds on the clock, she had to settle for a second-place finish. On the other hand, the 24-year-old turned things around in the 4x100m event. Running the anchor leg, Team USA clinched a triumphant gold with a blistering 41.78 seconds. With this, the 2x Olympic medalist earned approximately $72,500 from medaling at the Summer Games.

As for Noah Lyles? The reigning 100m World Champion nabbed a historic gold medal at Stade de France by edging out his Jamaican rival, Kishane Thompson, by crossing the finish line at 9.784 seconds. For the first time in 20 years, the men’s 100m champion came from the States. Additionally, he clinched an Olympic bronze with 19.70 seconds on the clock. Along with USA Athletics and World Athletics prize pot, former NFL stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson promised $25,000. As a result, the 27-year-old walked away with $137,500 from the French capital. 

But they weren’t the only ones who walked away with a hefty cash prize. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone successfully defended her 400m hurdles title by scorching to the finish line in 50.37 seconds. With this, she lowered her own world record, becoming the first woman to bag a back-t0-back in the event. In the 4x400m relay, the 25-year-old’s split of 47.70 seconds gave Team USA a significant lead, eventually nabbing 3:15:27. The 4x Olympic gold medalist earned about $112,000 for her golds and world record.

The hurdler’s compatriot, Gabby Thomas, claimed three gold medals at Stade de France. The first was when she left her competitors in the dust with a blistering 21.83 seconds in the 200m event. She also contested in the 4x100m and 4x400m, bringing her estimated prize money to around $75,000. Additionally, Masai Russell also bagged her maiden gold by crossing the 110mH finish line in 12.33 seconds on the clock. As a result, the 24-year-old walked away with $60,000. What do you think about the cash prizes each of these athletes received?