Meet the richest American athletes competing in the Winter Olympics

• American athletes are paid $37,500 for winning a gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
• But the best athletes earn much more money from endorsement deals.
• Shaun White is the richest American athlete competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Faster, higher, stronger, richer.

The 2018 Winter Olympics begin on February 9, and athletes from all over the world will compete to win gold. The top medal comes with a $37,500 check, but the biggest athletes are worth much more money than a few Olympic medals.

In between Olympic games, athletes earn money when they clinch event and championship titles in their sport and rake in cash from endorsement deals and sponsorships.

GoBankingRates found the six athletes competing in Pyeongchang with the highest estimated net worth. Check them out below: