Olympic athletes will earn $200K thanks to historic $100M donation

Drones form Olympic rings over Deer Valley's World Cup in February. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes will soon receive unprecedented financial benefits — up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per athlete — thanks to a record-breaking $100 million donation announced Tuesday by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

The historic gift from Ross Stevens, founder and CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group, establishes the Stevens Financial Security Awards, providing substantial long-term financial support to athletes based on their Olympic participation.

Under the new program, a one-time Olympic participant will receive $200,000 in benefits, with $100,000 available as income 20 years after their qualifying Games or at age 45, whichever is later. This amount increases dramatically for multiple-Games athletes — a two-time Olympian or Paralympian will be eligible for $400,000, while a three-time participant could receive up to $600,000 in post-career benefits.

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“In the heart of every Team USA athlete lies a story of dedication, sacrifice and triumph,” said USOPC Chair Gene Sykes in a statement. “These extraordinary individuals have committed their lives to their sport, often at the expense of traditional career paths and financial savings. As they approach the end of their competitive journeys—often as young as 25 or 30—many face a daunting reality: the lack of financial savings to support them and their loved ones in their post-athletic life.”

The program, which begins with the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games and continues through at least the 2032 Brisbane Summer Games, divides benefits into two components: $100,000 to Live and $100,000 to Protect, with the latter providing guaranteed benefits for athletes’ families or chosen beneficiaries upon their death.

The initiative recognizes the significant financial sacrifices made by Olympic athletes, particularly those from areas with high concentrations of Olympians, such as Park City. Statistics show that 60% of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic medals are won by athletes who participated in previous Games.

Stevens said at a Stone Ridge conference attended by Sykes on Tuesday, “Admiration of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians is uniquely bipartisan, uniting all Americans, and reminding us of our shared humanity.” He continued, “The Stevens Awards honor the sacrifices they have made on behalf of all Americans while inspiring the development of their dreams in the post-Games chapter of their lives.”

By combining the power of compounding with guaranteed benefits made possible by life insurance, this program offers meaningful financial security for Olympic athletes in their post-competitive careers.

Stevens and Sykes are seeking additional financial support to extend the program beyond the 2034 Utah Games, with the goal of creating a permanent fund to benefit all future generations of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

This initiative, along with Lindsey Vonn’s actionable idea of creating a more inclusive Games-time experience for Olympians’ friends and family, represents a transformation in how Olympic careers are valued — providing substantial financial benefits that recognize athletes’ lifetime commitments to their sports.