5 highest-earning athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics boast $400M income

Jon Rahm – Golf

Jon Rahm, of Spain, acknowledges the crowd after after putting on the 6th green during the third round of the men’s golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. Photo by AP

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm tops the list with annual earnings of around $138 million.

His victories, including the Masters and the U.S. Open, significantly contribute to his earnings, but it is his contract with the professional golf tour LIV Golf that has made him the wealthiest Olympian.

Rahm finished in a tie for fifth place with Rory McIlroy in Paris 2024, missing out on a podium finish.

LeBron James – Basketball

United States’ LeBron James (6) celebrates after winning a gold medal for men’s basketball at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. Photo by AP

LeBron James is in the second place with annual earnings of $85 million.

The American player became a billionaire in 2022, according to Forbes. As of July this year, James had amassed cumulative career earnings of $480 million, making him the highest paid National Basketball Association (NBA) player.

James has played for the Los Angeles Lakers since 2018, and before that, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Stephen Curry – Basketball

United States’ Stephen Curry (4) reacts after a three-point basket against France in the men’s gold medal basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by AP

With yearly earnings of $67 million, Steph Curry was ranked in the third place.

Paris 2024 was the first Olympics for the 36-year-old player, who is often described the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history.

Curry is a four-time NBA champion and a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

Giannis Antetokounmpo – Basketball

Giannis Antetokounmpo, center, of Greece, dunks as Johannes Thiemann, left, of Germany, and Franz Wagner, of Germany, defend during a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. Photo by AP

Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo boasts $66 million in yearly earnings and was ranked in the fourth place.

Known as “Greek Freak”, Antetokounmpo is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time.

The 30-year-old was born in Athens to his Nigerian parents. The organizers of Paris 2024 described him “an iconic symbol of perseverance and success” who went from the streets of Athens to the NBA courts.

Kevin Durant- Basketball

United States’ Kevin Durant (7) celebrates after beating France to win the gold medal during a men’s gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. Photo by AP

In the last place was Kevin Durant with annual earnings of $59 million.

Together with Curry and James, he helped the U.S. won the fifth straight gold medal at Paris 2024.

The medal made Durant the the most successful athlete ever in an Olympic team sport.