The Paris Olympics have everyone on the edge of their seats as athletes strive to bring home the gold. The dedication and effort of these competitors are undeniably intense, but are the rewards worth it? For Malaysian athletes, the answer is a resounding yes.
According to @seasia.stats, Malaysia is among the top 10 countries offering the highest gold medal bonuses at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Malaysian gold medalists will receive a substantial RM 984,000 for their achievements.
Forbes reports that Malaysia ranks fourth, with six-figure payouts of $214,000 (approximately RM 984,400) for each gold medalist in individual sports at Paris 2024.
Hong Kong tops the list with an impressive gold medal bonus of $768,000 (approximately RM3,569,200). Serbia follows closely behind, offering gold medalists $218,000 (approximately RM981,000).
Here’s the list of the remaining countries and their respective bonus payouts:
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Hong Kong – $768,000
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Serbia – $218,000
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Malaysia – $214,000
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Italy – $196,000
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Lithuania – $182,000
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Moldova – $171,000
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Latvia – $155,000
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Hungary – $154,000
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Bulgaria – $139,000
According to the New Straits Times, the first Malaysian athlete to win gold at the Paris Olympics stands to earn up to RM4 million, along with a luxury serviced apartment worth RM1 million.
Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh expressed her appreciation for the numerous people and organisations offering incentives for successful Malaysian athletes at the Paris Olympics.
The RM4 million prize pool is allocated as follows:
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Yinson Holdings will contribute RM1 million.
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MJ Health and Matrix Concepts will each contribute RM500,000.
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These rewards are in addition to the existing Shakam scheme, which awards RM1 million for gold medals.
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Senheng is offering RM1 million to shuttlers from its SS Bakat Badminton Programme, including Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, and Chen Tang Jie, if they win gold medals.
Moreover, Malaysian athletes are offered a lifetime pension. Forbes reports that while Malaysian gold medalists will receive over $200,000 (approximately RM930,000), bronze medalists will earn 10% of that amount.
Regardless of their podium finish, Malaysian athletes are guaranteed a lifetime pension ranging from approximately $400 to $1,100 (RM1,860 to RM5,115) per month.
With such substantial rewards and lifelong support, it's clear that the blood, sweat, and tears of Malaysian athletes are indeed worth it.
