Russia gave all of its gold medalists in the Sochi Games $120,000, plus a brand-new Mercedes GL SUV. WOAH! Talk about a major display of generosity. Even Julia Lipnitskaya, only 15 years of age and can't legally drive yet, received one with her own personal driver. Silver medalists got $76,000 and a Mercedes ML, and bronze medalists got $52,000 and a Mercedes GLK.

The cars were provided by the Russian Olympians Foundation, a consortium established by Russian businessmen in 2005.

  Katherine Bridgerton