Explore Singapore's journey in winter sports, from its first Olympian in eight years to the challenges and hopes for future growth. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

For athletes at the ongoing 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, a podium finish can come with six-figure checks.

The reaction is usually the same when Faiz Basha tells anyone that he's an Olympian. What sport? Ski racing. An understanding nod. What country? Singapore. Raised eyebrows. Basha's just the second athlete from the tropical country — temperature today: 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 Celsius) — to compete at a Winter Games.

He will be taking part in the giant slalom on Feb 14, followed by the slalom two days later. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Singapore ranks highest, but top-of-table Norway and other nations do not pay their athletes anything for a podium finish.

Switzerland-based Faiz Basha found a lack of snow when he returned to Singapore for military service, so he needed to improvise Singaporean Faiz Basha is the first competitor to represent his country in a snow sport at the Olympic Winter Games and his road to the frozen slopes from his tropical nation included unconventional training on in-line

Americans who top the podium at the Milan Cortina Games will be in line for a $37,500 bonus. Their competitors could collect as much as $800,000.

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics have brought together thousands of elite athletes, all chasing a place on the podium. While medals are the most visible reward, financial incentives also play a significant role for competitors from certain countries, where governments and sporting bodies offer substantial payouts for podium finishes.