Team China's medal haul from the Milano Cortina games bodes well for the future of winter sports in the country The Winter Olympic Games have gone into hibernation again for four years, until the relighting of the Olympic flame in 2030 by the next host - the French Alps.

The 21-year-old has gone from family ski trips to becoming a city flag bearer and competing in the women's slalom at the highest level Hong Kong alpine skier Eloise King Yung-shih has settled into Cortina d'Ampezzo,

The Nordic powerhouse has built the greatest winter sports machine in history. Yet, their medal bonus sits at exactly $0. No luxury apartments, no sports cars. So, how exactly does a country conquer the Olympic world without paying its athletes a single penny?

According to Forbes, several nations have announced cash bonuses for athletes who win medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Singapore

Eileen Gu soared to victory in the women's freeski halfpipe final on Sunday to end her wait for a gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, becoming the most decorated freestyle skier in the history of the Winter Games.

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics have brought together thousands of elite athletes, all chasing a place on the podium. While medals are the most visible reward, financial incentives also play a significant role for competitors from certain countries, where governments and sporting bodies offer substantial payouts for podium finishes.