There are 162 French people to be entered in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. To best reward the best athletes competing in the Olympic and Paralympic events, the government has revised its bonuses upwards. In the event of a podium finish, French athletes will receive record amounts, unprecedented for the Winter Olympics.
The same amounts as during the Paris 2024 Olympics
“This is the first time that we will have such high prize money for the Winter Games and it is an important decision that we have taken to recognize the work of our athletes and their supervisors,” rejoiced Marina Ferrari, the Minister of Sports. For the competition, French athletes will receive the same amounts as their counterparts during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, according to the decree of October 23, 2025.
This winter, a gold medal will bring in 80,000 euros, compared to 40,000 for silver and 20,000 for bronze. These sums are “paid by the State from the credits entered in the budget of the ministry responsible for sports”, specifies article 1 of the text.
Premiums still taxable
As since the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, these bonuses remain taxable but French athletes will have “the possibility if they request it to spread the taxation linked to their medal over four years”declared the Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life. In recent years, certain Olympic champions like the biathlete Martin Fourcade or the judoka David Douillet have mobilized for the tax exemption of these bonuses.
During her speech, Marina Ferrari recalled “the strong objective” set by the French delegation for these Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, aiming for “50% more medals compared to the last Winter Games”.
The 2026 Olympics will be held from February 6 to 22, while the Paralympics will take place from March 6 to 15.
