Leading the way is NBA superstar Durant with $56.2 million. Durant won a gold medal with the 2012 U.S. men's national team, but this is his first time as the team's alpha dog since LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are not in Rio. The four-time scoring champ has been one of the NBA's most beloved players since entering the league in 2007, but this summer became the league's newest villain after leaving Oklahoma City as a free agent to join two-time Western Conference champion Golden State. The basketball star earned quite well on advertising contracts - they brought him $ 36 million. Also, 27-year-old Durant was paid a farewell salary of $ 20.2 million by the Oklahoma City basketball club.

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic earned $55.8 million over the last 12 months from prize money, endorsements and appearance fees. The world's top-ranked player has dominated tennis over the past six years, appearing in 18 out of 24 Grand Slam finals. He completed the career Grand Slam with his French Open win in June, but Olympic success has eluded the 12-time Slam winner so far. His lone medal was bronze in 2008. Djokovic became the first tennis player to reach $100 million in career prize money in June. An advertising revenue was estimated at $34 million.

The Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal occupies the third line in the ranking of the richest athletes at the Rio Summer Olympics. The athlete's annual income was $37.5 million. The advertising contract brought him an additional $36 million.

The star of the Barcelona football club and the hope of the Brazilian national team Neimar ranks fourth with an annual income of $ 37.5 million. The 24-year-old athlete earned $23 million thanks to the advertising contracts.

Rounding out the top five is Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori, who should be one of the faces of the Olympics in 2020 when his home country hosts the Games in Tokyo. His annual income made $35.5 million.

Usain Bolt, the world's most famous runner, takes the 6th place. The athlete made $2.5 million in winnings and another $30 million in endorsements between June 2015 and June 2016.

The 7th place is given to the basketball player Carmelo Anthony. The participant of the Summer Olympics in Brazil for the year became richer by $30.9 million. At the same time, the 32-year-old contender for the gold Olympic medal earned only $8 million on advertising.

The eight position is given to Serena Williams, the only woman on the list. She earned $28.9 million over the past 12 months. That makes her the world's highest-paid female athlete. Williams, 34, has dominated her sport for a decade and a half. She won her second Grand Slam in 2002 and has added 19 more since then. Her career prize money of $77.6 million is more than twice as much as any other female athlete.

The 9th line is taken by 24-year-old participant of the current Olympic Games Kairi Irving. The basketball player became richer at $27.6 million. Advertising contracts brought the athlete $ 11 million. Irving makes an estimated $5 million from Nike, plus royalties on sales of his kicks. His other partners include Pepsi, NBA 2K, Activision, Foot Locker, PSD (underwear) and Panini.

Another American basketball player Paul George occupies the 10th place. The 26-year-old Olympian earned $24.1 million for the year. The profit from the advertising contracts made $7 million. Marketers love George's story of perseverance. His partners include Nike, Gatorade, Papa John's, Fanatics, FanDuel, New Era, Bass Pro Shops and 2K Sports.

British tennis player Andy Murray is ranked 11th with an annual income of $ 23 million. Advertising earnings are $ 15 million. Murray also has deals with Standard Life, Head and Rado. He added Jaguar to his endorsement roster this year. He has been investing in start-ups through the crowd funding platform Seedrs in which Murray also owns a stake. His $49 million in prize money ranks fourth all-time.

Jimmy Butler takes the 12th place with an annual income of $20.6 million. The capital amount from the whole earning accounts for the working contracts. The advertising brought the American basketball player only $750,000. Jimmy Butler was the debutant of the Olympic Games.

Deandre Jordan, who earned $ 20.5 million for the year, ranks 13th. DeAndre Jordan has been popular for being among NBA All-Defensive First Team selection in 2016.

Golfer Ricky Fowler closes the list of the richest Olympians. For this year, the American sportsman earned $18.5 million. For the first time in 112 years golf will return to the program of the Olympic Games. Previously Golf competitions were held only during two Summer Olympics – in 1900 and 1904 years – and then were canceled.

Photo: Ricky Fowler (left).