"Fortunately we had planned wide": with team sports, the State will pay 6 million euros in bonuses to medalists

65 French in gold. In the medal table, France is in eighth place, interspersed between the Netherlands and Germany, with 10 titles. But it is indeed 65 Blues and Bleues who leave Tokyo with the title of Olympic champion. Result of the exceptional performances of team sports and team competitions: handball, basketball, volleyball, judo, fencing, triathlon… For example, count no less than 16 handball players, 16 handball players, four fencers or even 12 volleyball players, gold medalists and all each intended to receive 65,000 euros from the State.

These bonuses have been revalued compared to those received by medal-winning athletes in Rio: 65,000 euros instead of 50,000 euros for a gold medal, 25,000 euros instead of 20,000 euros for silver and finally 15,000. euros instead of 13,000 euros for a bronze charm.

“The idea was obviously to increase the value of gold”, specifies the Ministry of Sports, which today expects a total amount above 6 million euros.

A budget established for Tokyo and Beijing

"Fortunately we had planned wide," smiles Roxana Maracineanu.

We have a variable budget of seven to ten million euros to share between the Olympic and Paralympic Games both in Tokyo and the winter in Beijing (Editor's note: from February 4 to 20), ”adds the Minister of Sports.

According to our calculations, the “simple” reward for medal-winning athletes in Japan has already reached 5,715,000 euros.

An adaptable envelope of 5.5 million euros had been budgeted in the 2020 finance bill, finally postponed to 2021 due to the postponement of the competition.

“We envisioned a big budget,” says the minister.

We have to show that we are ambitious!

If we had planned a million euros, it is because we had no hopes of a medal ”.

Coaches also rewarded

Still, the bill is not limited to athletes.

Coaches, too, will be financially valued in the event of their athlete (s) podium.

A bonus, paid by the National Sports Agency.

Count this time, 35,000 euros for a gold medalist, 15,000 euros for the silver and 8,000 euros for the bronze.

An amount to be shared if the athlete has several coaches.

Sports investments, post-career preparation, vacations ... So many sports or personal projects on which the medalists can embark on, without forgetting that the amount received is taxable.

No privilege for French athletes living abroad: a deduction of 15% is made on their premium, to offset this taxation of residents of France.