In a new precedent set by Germany, athletes will no longer have to pay taxes on the prize money for winning medals at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games or Winter Paralympics, slated to get underway from March 6 to 15.
The Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament, have approved the tax law on Friday after the Bundestag, the lower house, passed a similar measure. Notably, in the last few years, some athletes had to pay 50 per cent in taxes on such bonuses.
“The tax exemption for Sporthilfe medal bonuses is a strong sign of political appreciation for the achievements of athletes,” commented Franziska van Almsick, a former swimming star and current vice president of the Supervisory Board of the German Sports Aid Foundation, according to news.de.
The German Sports Aid Foundation will also provide a higher medal bonus for any athlete who brings home a medal from Milano Cortina 2026.
€30,000 will be awarded to athletes clinching a gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026, €20,000 for silver while the award for bronze medallists will remain unchanged at €10,000.
However, there will be no bonuses for athletes finishing between fourth and eighth place. They will be eligible for other financial support provided by the German Sports Aid Foundation.
Earlier, led by Milano Cortina 2026 President and IOC Member Giovanni Malagò and CEO Andrea Varnier, the Organising Committee outlined the core priorities for the coming weeks, including venue activation, workforce mobilisation and operational integration across all host regions.
As excitement grows and preparations intensify for the Olympic Winter Games, IOC President Kirsty Coventry highlighted the strong progress underway.
“We got to really see the strong start to the [Olympic] Torch Relay. The flame is now being carried throughout the country. And I’m sure many of you have got to witness the breath-taking moments that have already been created, and the enormous and enthusiastic crowds that we are seeing,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said.
She continued “We had the Organising Committee do an incredibly good progress report, sharing with us the last few focus areas that we’re all working on together, and sharing with us some of the successful test events that have taken place. We know that the new model of these Games is going to allow winter athletes to compete in some of their favourite venues, and will also showcase some of the best and most beautiful, iconic areas of Italy, and we cannot wait to be there in just a few weeks.”