Do olympic medalist get cash prizes, for 1st, 2nd, 3rd?
90405
No, they get medals.  If they are lucky, they get an endorsement from a company and can make money doing commercials, ads, etc.
142113
Some do.  There was a story on a U.S. speed skater that donated the money he won to charity.  \n\nTURIN, Italy (AP) - Joey Cheek has his first assignment from Johann Olav Koss: Zambia.\n\nThe American speedskater will head to the African country in April on a humanitarian mission for Koss' Right To Play group, which uses sports to promote a healthier lifestyle for children in poor countries.\n\nCheek donated $40,000 in bonus money to Koss' organization after winning a gold medal in the 500 meters and a silver in the 1,000. Koss won three speedskating golds at the 1994 Lillehammer Games.
204208
It is the same as a trifecta.\nPick the first three finishers in the correct order to win this bet.
756454
Um...Every Olympics...Most recent Olympics was Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, 2006.\n\nAdded:\nOK..OK... I think I realize what they are asking now....The last time they actually gave out actual Gold "gold medals" was in 1912. Now it is just gold plated silver for the "gold medals".\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games#Olympic_champions_and_medalists
141429
james,\n\nA country wins ONE medal for each event.  If there are say, two members to a team, ex. two-person luge, each member will get a gold medal.  Statistically however, one medal per event.
951532
i don't think they get prize money they are all employed and get a salary
164340
Each country is able to submit a team of performers....usually it's only three per event, but I guess sometimes its more.  Despite this, each athlete usually goes through qualifier rounds just to get to the finals..in which case you don't usually see more than 3 athletes per country.  They send three because the Olympics rewards three spots...Gold, Silver, and Bronze.  So rather than competing for the top spot, athletes compete for all three spots.  It's about being the world's best athlete...not the world's best athletic country.
149358
well you get a Gold Medal... you also get all kinds of promotions that will make you money.  But the best part is you know you are the best at what you love in the entire world. You own a peice of history and have been a part of something that is bigger than yourself
839135
There is no such thing as a professional swimmer.  International level swimmers earn money through sponsorships (i.e., Speedo pays them for wearing Speedo gear and gives them free gear), endorsements (i.e., representing Speedo at events and on tv) and for doing advertisements (i.e. being on the Wheaties box and being in commericals).  Olympic swimmers also sometimes earn extra money from their countries for each medal they receive.  Each gold medal is worth something, each silver, each bronze, etc.  This payoff varies from country to country, and yes, the U.S. does pay the athletes for winning medals.  Sponsors also sometimes payout more for winning events.  Fortunately, since swimmers don't receive salaries, it is free to live and train at the Olympic training center, and with some other clubs around the country.  And its usually not hard to find a job after their swimming career is over, being famous and having proven they are hard workers and good at time management goes a long way.
697557
That is nothing compared to my wins.\n\nI have not only won soccer lotteries, I've won basketball one, lotteries from Spain, Britain and the US. Besides this, I get offers of millions of dollars to help launder money, not to mention to strangers leaving me millions in their wills.\n\nBased on this alone, I should easily command US$100 million by now. \nUnfortunately, not a single cent has ever reached me.
226194
I Am! Do I get a prize?
1136995
Of course they get paid, and trust me it is plenty plenty money. They also get bonuses or incentives. For instance I know the saudi arabian team will EACH get 150 000 euros if they qualify to the next round. Most teams get bonuses for scoring goals, not letting in goals, qualifying to further rounds, golden boot winner gets a packet of money. Money rules that tournament!
1090790
He will if they win, i confirmed...as he took part in atleast one game, he gets a medal..
127896
the guy who got 3rd place
861500
No - You need to match at least one of the main numbers to win a prize.
278295
Does entering a competition where you know you are going to loose count? If so then yes, all the time.\n\n(When you run a marathon, with thousands of people, it's a good bet that you will get beat by the guy who's on the Olympic team.)
111162
It depends on what country the Olympics are in.  \nIn Salt Lake City, the medals were almost all crystal with a few gold accents.