Table of contents
- Courtney Sarault and Canadian Olympic Committee Excellence Fund
- Italy, Poland and Singapore medal payouts comparison
- Adam van Koeverden and federal sport funding policy
- Kelsey Mitchell and bobsleigh funding realities
Courtney Sarault and Canadian Olympic Committee Excellence Fund
Medal bonuses in Canada
Sarault will receive $55,000 in total for her three medals. The breakdown is precise
- $15,000 for each silver medal
- $10,000 for the bronze medal
- $5,000 extra per medal from a foundation established by Sanjay Malaviya
The base amounts come from the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Excellence Fund. A gold medal is valued at $20,000. The money does not come from taxpayers. It is financed through corporate sponsorship directed to high-performance athletes.
When informed of the final figure, Sarault reacted with surprise. “Okay, there’s some cash flow,” she said. “Thanks for letting me know. When I’m back in my condo paying my bills, that will be nice to have.”
National-team athletes in Canada also receive a monthly stipend of about $2,100. Medal bonuses are classified as employment income and are taxed.
Italy, Poland and Singapore medal payouts comparison
International disparities
If Sarault competed for Italy, she would receive about $389,000 for the same results. Poland offers about $211,000, along with additional benefits such as
- a furnished apartment
- a car
- gifts that may include artwork or jewelry
Singapore’s payout would be even higher. A Singaporean athlete in her position could expect around $1,350,000 deposited in the bank.
Host nation Italy, which has accumulated medals in record numbers, has spoken openly about its rewards. Sarault acknowledged the contrast. “When you hear that,” she said, “you’re definitely like, Oh, wow, okay. Good for you guys!”
Adam van Koeverden and federal sport funding policy
Government position on direct payments
Adam van Koeverden, a former Olympic kayaker, confirmed there are no federal plans to pay athletes directly for medals. Norway and Great Britain also do not award financial bonuses to medallists.
He framed the issue in structural terms. “I think of it less as a reward and more as justice.”
“We do more on the upstream,” van Koeverden said. “My goal is to invest in athletes and the ecosystem so it’s possible to win more medals. That’s our governmental responsibility.”
Van Koeverden competed before and after the introduction of medal bonuses. He received no payment for his medals in 2004 and 2008. His silver in 2012 brought $15,000. He described the payment as an equalization measure, noting that sponsors benefit whenever any athlete reaches the podium.
Kelsey Mitchell and bobsleigh funding realities
Athlete perspective on costs
Kelsey Mitchell won Olympic gold in sprint cycling in Tokyo and now competes as a bobsledder in Milano Cortina. She highlighted the financial pressures faced by amateur athletes.
“There’s enough incentive to medal,” she said. “No athlete in Canada does it for the money. But to get $20,000 in your pocket is phenomenal. Any money matters.”
The $20,000 she earned for her cycling gold equals the fee her current bobsleigh team charges athletes to participate. The team uses German sleds from 2018. A new sled would cost roughly what Italy pays for a bronze medal.
Mitchell raised broader funding questions. “I think we have to decide, where do we want to put our money?” she said. “Is it in high performance, so people can look up and see Canadians achieving great things and try to pursue that? Or should we put it in grassroots, and get more people in sports? I don’t know where it’s more beneficial. These are decisions I wouldn’t know how to make.”
Sarault, who still has two races remaining, keeps her focus elsewhere. “It doesn’t enter my mind when I skate, when I’m on the ice,” she said. “The look in my eyes isn’t for money. It’s for my love of the sport, my love of competition.”
FAQ
How much will Courtney Sarault receive for her three medals?
Courtney Sarault will receive $55,000 in total, including $15,000 for each of her two silver medals, $10,000 for her bronze medal, and an additional $5,000 per medal from a foundation established by Sanjay Malaviya.
Where does Canada’s medal bonus funding come from?
The bonuses are paid from the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Excellence Fund, which distributes corporate sponsorship money to high-performance athletes. The funds do not come from taxpayers.
How much would Sarault earn if she represented Italy, Poland, or Singapore?
Italy would award about $389,000, Poland about $211,000 plus additional benefits such as a furnished apartment and a car, and Singapore approximately $1,350,000 for comparable results.
Does the Canadian federal government pay athletes directly for Olympic medals?
No, the federal government does not pay athletes directly for medals. According to Adam van Koeverden, there are no plans to introduce direct government payments for podium finishes.
What monthly support do Canadian national-team athletes receive?
National-team athletes in Canada receive a monthly stipend of about $2,100, and medal bonuses are classified as employment income and taxed accordingly.
What financial challenge did Kelsey Mitchell highlight in bobsleigh?
The $20,000 she earned for her Olympic gold equals the participation fee charged by her current bobsleigh team. The team uses German sleds from 2018, and a new sled would cost roughly what Italy pays for a bronze medal.
Source: CBC