More than half a million euros to be paid to Croatian Olympians

August 15, 2024 – The state will pay the Croatian Olympic athletes a very generous sum – exactly 542.5 million euros.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Mladen Miletic write, the state will pay a total of over half a million euros, 542.5 thousand to be exact, to Croatian Olympians. This sum will go to the winners of Olympic medals, six people and the men’s water polo team.

The changes to the regulations and the Sports Act came just before the Paris Games. Following criticism after Tokyo 2021 that Croatia’s prize money was too small compared to that of some other countries, it was one of the first moves made by the sports department in the new Croatian government.

Gold was won by the talented Barbara Matić in judo, and in rowing, the famous brothers Valent and Martin Sinković won the same medal (which was the third medal for this pair!). All three Croatian Olympians received 41,000 euros from the government. This is 13,000 euros more than in 2021.

Silver was won by Donna Vekić and the Croatian water polo team, whose 13 players, like the tennis player from Osijek, are now 26,000 euros richer. Croatia also won three bronze medals in Paris. They were won by Miran Maričić from Bjelovar in archery, Lena Stojković from Split in taekwondo and Sandra Elkasević in discus throw. According to the regulations, each of these Croatian Olympians is entitled to 18.5 thousand euros.

Each gold medal winner for the Republic of Croatia is also entitled to a state sports pension, which ranges from 40 to 100 percent of the average net salary. Croatia is actually one of the few countries that recognize the achievements of its athletes in this way when they reach the age of 45.

financial benefits for Croatian Olympians are still far from those given in Hong Kong

“It is important to emphasize that thanks to the latest changes to the Sports Act, we have enabled Olympic coaches to receive the same when they turn 55,” Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina emphasized during the Games. He noted that a Croatian Olympian who wins a gold medal will receive more than half a million euros. This is the sum of all awards, bonuses and a lifetime pension from the state.

In addition to the cash provided by the state, the local communities from which the Croatian Olympians come can also decide on these cash prizes. Bjelovar, as well as Bjelovar-Bilogora County, will reward their bronze medalist Miran Maričić with an additional 10,000 euros, while his coach will also receive three thousand euros.

Some countries are much more generous when it comes to rewarding their gold medalists. A good example is neighbouring Italy, which pays its gold medalists €180,000. Even much, much poorer Serbia gives its gold medalists €200,000. Hong Kong goes even further, rewarding them with the equivalent of a whopping €700,000. However, only a few countries have decided to provide an athlete pension, with Croatia standing out in this regard.

 

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