U.S. athletes paid to compete in Olympics? [Video]

Ahead of the Olympics, many people online are asking if Olympic athletes are paid. VERIFY reader Denise also wanted to know how much money American athletes receive to compete in the Games. 

THE QUESTION

Do U.S. athletes get paid to compete in the Olympics?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

No, U.S. athletes do not get paid to compete in the Olympics. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee doesn’t give athletes a salary, but they can earn prize money if they win medals and can also agree to outside sponsorship deals. 

WHAT WE FOUND

American athletes don’t receive a salary from the U.S. or International Olympic Committees for competing in the Games. But they can earn money through winning medals, as well as receiving outside sponsorships and stipends.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says on its website…