For decades, American Olympians have competed without government funding, relying instead on sponsorships and personal savings. That is about to change.
Ross Stevens, a billionaire financier and longtime supporter of Team USA, has pledged $100 million to create long-term financial benefits for every U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete, beginning with the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Under the new program, each athlete who qualifies for the Games will receive $200,000 in benefits, even if they do not win a medal. The money is designed to support athletes after their competitive careers end, a period when many face financial uncertainty.
“I do not believe that financial insecurity should stop our nation’s elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers of excellence,” Stevens said when the donation was announced.
A first for Team USA
The initiative, called the Stevens Financial Security Awards, is the largest single philanthropic gift ever made to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. It marks the first time American athletes will receive broad, guaranteed post-career financial support tied to Olympic participation.
Unlike many countries, the United States does not pay its Olympians for competing. The International Olympic Committee awards medals, not prize money. While the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pays medal bonuses, $38,000 for gold, $23,000 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze, there is no government stipend or pension system.
As a result, income varies widely. A small number of stars earn substantial endorsement deals, while many athletes struggle to cover training costs and living expenses.
How the benefits work
The $200,000 benefit is not paid all at once.
Half of the money, $100,000, becomes available 20 years after an athlete’s first qualifying Olympic or Paralympic appearance, or when the athlete turns 45, whichever comes later. That portion is paid out over four years and can be used for any purpose.
The remaining $100,000 is structured as a guaranteed death benefit for an athlete’s family or chosen beneficiaries.
The award also compounds. Athletes earn the full $200,000 for each Olympic or Paralympic Games they compete in. Someone who qualifies for three Games would receive $600,000 in total benefits.
The program begins with the 2026 Winter Olympics and is expected to continue through at least the 2032 Games.
Addressing a common problem
For many Olympic sports, careers are short and financially fragile. Track and field athletes often retire in their early 30s. Many delay education or traditional careers to pursue Olympic dreams, leaving little time to build savings.
“In the heart of every Team USA athlete lies a story of dedication, sacrifice and triumph,” said Gene Sykes, chair of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. “These extraordinary individuals have committed their lives to their sport, often at the expense of traditional career paths and financial savings.”
“As they approach the end of their competitive journeys, often as young as 25 or 30, many face a daunting reality,” he added. “The lack of financial savings to support them and their loved ones in their post-athletic life.”
Sykes said Stevens’ donation would provide more than basic security.
“We can create more than a financial safety net,” he said. “We can build a springboard that will propel these athletes to even greater heights beyond their Olympic and Paralympic careers.”
A different model from other nations
Many countries already offer long-term support to Olympians. Russia, China, and South Korea provide pensions or stipends. Australia recently introduced a retirement grant paid out years after athletes compete. Some nations reward medalists with housing, vehicles, or lifetime monthly payments.
Until now, the United States has relied almost entirely on private funding and sponsorships. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee receives no federal money, a structure rooted in U.S. law and tradition.
Stevens, the founder and chief executive of Stone Ridge Holdings Group, said he was drawn to the idea of creating a benefit system without political involvement. According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, he wanted to build a safety net that would endure regardless of changes in government or policy.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, a projected 232 American athletes are expected to compete, the largest U.S. Winter Games roster ever. Collectively, they stand to earn more than $46 million in future benefits from the program.
