Winning a gold medal is every Olympian's dream.  Olympic athletes can turn a gold, silver or bronze medal into lucrative endorsements, speaking engagements, books and advertising appearances.  There are some on Team USA who've done very well financially.  Who are the five richest American athletes competing at the Sochi Winter Olympics?

Bankrate.com has the five richest American athletes competing in Sochi.   You'll notice no NHL players on the list and that's because they weren't included.

1.  Shaun White

The 27 year old snowboarder is worth at least $20 million, thanks to endorsement deals with Red Bull, Oakley, Target and Burton Snowboards.  White had a disappointing run at Sochi, walking away without a single medal.  Will this impact his endorsements?  I think it probably will.

 2. Bode Miller

36 year old Alpine skier Bode Miller is worth $8 million.  He has 33 World Cup wins and has done endorsements with Head and Nike.

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
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3.  Teg Ligety

Like Miller, Ligety is an Alpine skier.  The 29 year old Olympian has done deals with Audi, 2XU and Slytech and started his own company called Shred Optics.  Bankrate puts Ligety at $2 million.

 

Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images
Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images
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4.  Hannah Teter

Team USA's 27 year old snowboarder is worth $1 million, thanks to deals with Samsung and Burton Snowboards.

Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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5.  Lindsey Jacobellis

This 28 year old snowboarder has appeared in ads for Visa, Sprint and Dunkin Donuts.  She also has an endorsement deal with Paul Mitchell.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
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Who are you cheering for in Sochi?

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