More than half of the 96 competitors did not finish after tricky conditions in the first run of the men's slalom.

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

While Singapore is better known for its tropical heat, one athlete is currently making history in the heart of the Italian Alps. Faiz Basha Munwar has officially stepped into the spotlight as the sole representative for Singapore at the Winter Olympic Games this year.

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.

Basha’s just the second athlete from the tropical country — temperature today: 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 Celsius) — to compete at a Winter Games. Born in Singapore, Basha was introduced to ski racing during his time living in Switzerland, when his parents moved there while his dad served as a diplomat.

Age of Sports' channel will broadcast his giant slalom and slalom events live on Feb 14 and 16. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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.

According to Forbes, several nations have announced cash bonuses for athletes who win medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Singapore

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

There's no greater honor than winning an Olympic medal, but cold hard cash is also on the line. Which country pays the most at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Of the 25 countries that responded to USA Today's inquiry, Team USA ranks in the middle of the pack. The United States pays $37,500 to athletes who win a gold medal, $22,500 for silver medalists and $15,000 for bronze-medal winners. Those figures rank 15th out of the 25 country sample.