Russian athletes are facing changes to their earnings after being suspended from international competition due to military operations. This caused changes in prize funds and income of athletes both in Russia and abroad. Exactly what changes have occurred and how much earnings have changed due to sanctions is discussed in detail in the Avia.pro material.

In February, the Winter Spartakiad of the Strongest took place, which can be considered an analogue of the Olympic Games. A similar event for summer sports was held two years ago.

The winners at the 2024 Spartakiad received 358 thousand rubles for gold medals, and their coaches received 171 thousand. The athletes received 179 thousand for silver, 107 thousand for bronze. These amounts are significantly less than the prize money at the Olympic Games, where you could win at least several million rubles for gold.

The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) is paying compensation to athletes who will not be able to participate in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. This compensation has already been paid to 127 athletes in December last year. It is provided to Russian athletes who are actively involved in sports and have participated in the Olympic Games in different years. Prize-winners receive different amounts: gold medalists - 500 thousand rubles, silver medalists - 350 thousand, bronze medalists - 250 thousand, and just participants - 150 thousand.

ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov explained on the Match TV channel that this initiative is aimed at providing support to Olympians who were actively preparing for the competition, but for some reason were unable or did not want to participate.

Russian top clubs were deprived of the opportunity to participate in European competitions due to their temporary suspension. This situation led to significant financial losses, since even for one match the clubs could receive several million rubles. If they won, they would have earned €2,8 million (about 280 million rubles), and for a draw, they would have earned €933 thousand (about 93 million rubles).

In the 2022/23 season, several Russian clubs were ready to take part in European cups: Zenit (as national champion), Sochi (for second place in the Russian Premier League), Spartak (winner of the Russian Cup), Dynamo "(third place in the RPL) and "Krasnodar" (fourth place in the RPL). Participation in qualifying tournaments could bring clubs several hundred thousand euros or about 45 million rubles. Zenit, as the most successful Russian club, could have earned a significant amount - several billion rubles that season.

The biathletes divided the amount of 70 million rubles. Previously, only a few of them received prize money. Now the situation has changed, and the number of athletes receiving rewards has increased. In the 2023/24 season, cash awards were available at various competitions, including the Russian Championship (summer and winter), national cups and the Commonwealth Cup, where biathletes from Russia and Belarus competed.

Victory at the Russian Championship in the 2023/24 season brought the athletes 100 thousand rubles in individual races and 200 thousand per team in relay races. For gold at the stages of the National Cup, athletes received 70 and 140 thousand rubles, respectively. At the Commonwealth Cup, 150 thousand rubles were given out for winning at the summer stages, and 300 thousand at the winter stages. The highest reward, 358 thousand rubles, awaited the winners at the Spartakiad of the Strongest, provided by the country's Ministry of Sports.

Not only the winners, but also the top six participants received prize money. These funds were issued from the Russian Biathlon Union. However, at international competitions the prize money is significantly higher: for winning one race you can get €15 thousand (approximately 1,5 million rubles).

Foreign skaters earned twice as much as Russian ones. Figure skating in Russia is very popular, which is reflected in the high prize money. For example, a victory at the Grand Prix stage could bring 500 thousand rubles, and at the Russian Championship - 2,5 million rubles. In addition, several unofficial tournaments were held in figure skating, such as the Russian Jumping Championship (the winners were awarded 1 million rubles; teams received 8 million rubles), the Russian Challenge tournament (5 million rubles for the champion) and the Channel One Cup (prize fund - 11 million rubles). At the Spartakiad, in addition to the prize from the Ministry of Sports, the strongest were given another million rubles for victory.

At international competitions, the prize money was: $15 thousand for winning the Grand Prix stage (1,5 million rubles), $25 thousand - in the Grand Prix final (2,5 million rubles); the European champion title brought $21 thousand (2,1 million rubles), and victory at the World Championship brought $64 thousand (6,4 million rubles).

Despite the high prize money in Russia, foreign skaters still received more. World champions Kaori Sakamoto and Ilya Malinin were at the top of the list of the richest skaters of the season, earning $125 thousand and $120 thousand respectively (more than 12 million rubles). Among Russian athletes, Evgeny Semenenko and Adelia Petrosyan became the best, but their income is half as much - $70 thousand (7 million rubles) each.

Maria Lasitskene's earnings fell by half due to her suspension from international competitions. At the Russian Winter tournament, the winner is given 200 thousand rubles, which is significantly less than international prize money. For example, winning the Diamond League brings an athlete $10 thousand, plus $5 thousand for participation in the tournament, which totals 1,5 million rubles.

In addition, the income of track and field athletes has decreased for other reasons. Maria noted that she lost more than half of her earnings, including her contract with the outfitter, Diamond League prize money and bonuses from the outfitter.

Tennis players were less affected - they continued to participate in many tournaments. The only exception was team competitions, where Russians were prohibited from entering. For example, the Davis Cup winners earned $2,1 million, which is approximately equal to 200 million rubles. Tennis players lost some income, but not as significant as track and field athletes. For example, Daniil Medvedev earned $20 million in 2023, primarily from tournament wins and endorsement deals, not including prize money from team competitions in which he was unable to compete.