Athletes train their whole lives for the opportunity to win an Olympic medal. The step onto the podium is the culmination of a lifetime of effort, determination and sacrifice.Video above: Paris Olympics conclude with an epic handoff from Paris to L.A.Victorious athletes at Paris received their medal and a box containing the official poster of the Summer Games. But these were not the only rewards many Olympic champions received.More than 40 nations rewarded their victorious athletes with bonuses of varying levels of generosity. More than 25 nations offered over $100,000 to athletes who returned from Paris with a gold medal.The US, meanwhile, rewarded its champions with a prize of $37,500. However, this is rather more generous than the bonuses given to athletes from nations like Great Britain, Sweden and Norway who get nothing. But it only puts Team USA 35th on the list of most generous nations.So as the Paralympics …
