The fashion for monetary rewards for the gold, silver and bronze medals of the Olympics was introduced by the United States of America. In 1994, the state decided for the first time to encourage its athletes who won prizes at the Winter Olympics in Norway. Then the champions were paid $15,000, silver winners - $10,000, bronze - $7,500. Other states have decided to keep up with the incentive policy of the United States. However, some countries - the UK, Norway, Sweden, and Croatia - refused to pamper their Olympians with cash payments.

In the photo: the star of the current Olympics, the gymnast from the US Simon Biles.

The biggest cash reward this year awaits the Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling (in the photo) - he was the first in the history of his country to win the gold Olympic medal. The authorities of Singapore even before the Olympics in Rio announced that they will pay 1 million Singapore dollars ($ 750,000) to gold medal holders.

Schooling is the same swimmer who outstripped the legendary American athlete Michael Phelps during 100 meters butterfly.

Indonesia is another state that does not intend to save money on cash prizes for its outstanding Olympians. The country's authorities pay $380,000 to gold medal holders. However, there is no significant damage to the treasury of Indonesia - at the Olympics in Rio, the country didn't win a single medal. At the previous Olympics, Indonesians became winners in badminton.

Impressive cash bonuses are received by the Olympians from Azerbaijan. According to unofficial data, the state will pay $510,000 to the gold medalists of the Olympics in Rio. However, there is another figure - $255,000. Let us note that athletes from Azerbaijan do not often manage to win the highest awards. For the last three Olympics, they brought home four gold.

Kazakhstan pays its "golden" athletes $230,000. At the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the Kazakhs won three medals of the highest standard.

Italy stands out of the countries whose athletes often become holders of Olympic awards - the state pays $185,000 to gold medalists.

India also willingly encourages its athletes: for gold, the authorities pay $160,000, for silver - $120,000, for bronze - $80,000. It is worth noting that Indian citizens do not often become prize-winners of the Olympic Games. So, in Beijing, the Indians took three medals, in London - six. At the Olympics in Rio, the first medal in the piggy bank of the team appeared only on August 16 - Sakshi Malik (in an orange suit in the photo) won bronze in the fight in the weight category up to 58 kg. The government was so delighted with the first medal that it decided to award the athlete with $375 000.

The French often become Olympic champions, so the prize money, which the state is willing to pay, is relatively modest - $66,000 for a gold medal.

The Russians who have distinguished themselves at the Olympics in Rio will receive 4 million rubles for gold, 2.7 million rubles for silver and 1.7 million rubles for bronze from the state. The same monetary incentives got the winners at the Olympics in Sochi. Considering the fallen ruble, today the Olympians will be paid about half as much (if you transfer the amount into foreign currency). It is worth noting, in addition to the aforementioned bonuses, our athletes can count on expensive gifts from sports federations and regional authorities.

In the photo: Russian gymnasts are the silver medalists of the Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro.

The state pays $60,000 to the New Zealanders for gold awards and $55,000 for silver and bronze.

The only winner of the Olympic Games in Rio from South Africa, the runner Wayde van Niekerk, will receive $36,000 from his country.

The treasury of the United States of America suffers the most from the payments to the Olympians. The sums that the medalists receive are small: $25,000 for gold and silver awards, $10,000 for bronze, but the total number of medals won by US citizens is usually more than a hundred.

On the photo: Simon Biles.

The Germans will pay $20,000 to the athletes for the gold medals of the Olympics in Rio and the sportsmen will also be rewarded with free beer. Chinese Olympians often receive from the state not only cash prizes but also houses with cars.

In the photo: the Chinese athlete makes an offer to his lover after the end of the competition in diving, Rio de Janeiro.