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While getting the chance to compete for their respective countries is a reward in itself, many Olympic athletes receive substantial financial bonuses for medaling at the Olympics.
While the Internal Olympic Committee doesn't provide financial rewards to its winners, countries often give their athletes money for medaling—some countries' payments being much higher than others.
Per Forbes' Justin Birnbaum and Sofia Chierchio, the United States offers gold medal winners $37,500. USA Today's Tom Schad noted that silver medalists receive $22,500 and bronze medalists earn $15,000.
For many notable athletes like LeBron James, the payout isn't much of a needle-mover, but for athletes who are trying to cover the costs of training for and competing in the Olympics, those payouts are substantial.