Australian Government pledges tens of thousands of dollars to successful Paralympians

Key points:

• The Australian Government pledges to give Australian medalists at the 2024 Paralympics up to $20,000 dollars each as a financial incentive
• Madi De Rozario, a Paralympian with six medals, highlighted that the government’s financial incentives show that ‘athletes with a disability are equal’
• The Australian Sports Commission encourages sporting clubs to make programs accessible for people with disability, including discussing participants’ needs

The Paralympics start today, August 28, 2024, and the government recently announced that financial incentives for podium-placing Australian Paralympians will be equal to those paid to successful Olympians. 

The equity commitment means that Australian gold medalists will receive $20,000 dollars, silver medalists $15,000 dollars and bronze medalists $10,000 dollars in the 2024 Paralympics. 

The 2024 Paralympics in Paris will be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024.

Minister for Sport Anika Wells is currently in Paris as a government representative to support the Australians who are competing to be the best in the Paralympics.

Through the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Government has provided financial support to 41 Olympic and Paralympic sports for qualification and training purposes.

Minister Wells commented on the investment in Paralympians and the importance of providing equity in sports.

“[…] [The] government is thrilled to provide the nation’s Paralympians with the same financial incentives for winning medals at the Paris Games as our Olympic medallists and I know all Australians will be [thrilled] too,” she said.

“This medal incentive payment is on top of our record-breaking budget funding for para-sport of $54.9 million dollars in additional investment. 

“That is the largest ever funding for para-sport and helps us develop the next Madi De Rozario and Ellie Cole.”

Before the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Madi De Rozario competed in four other Paralympics and has won two gold, three silver and one bronze medals in total. The thirty-year-old debuted at the 2008 Bejing Paralympics at age 14 in wheelchair racing events.

Madi has competed in other high-level athletic events around the world, including in New York. [Source: levradin; Shutterstock]

Ms De Rozario, who lives with transverse myelitis, a neurological disease, highlighted that the financial incentives of placing in the Olympics has a deeper meaning.

“This support tells us as Paralympians that we are valued. It also tells the public that athletes with a disability are equal with non-disabled athletes [sic],” she said.

“Paralympians aren’t here in Paris for money — we’re here in the green and gold [colours] because of what it means to us to compete for our country.” 

In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Australian athletes won 21 gold, 29 silver and 30 bronze medals. 

Dozens of Paralympic sports, such as blind football, para-archery and wheelchair basketball are set to be held in multiple venues in France, including the Eiffel Tower Stadium.

However, it’s not only high-level athletes with disability who enjoy partaking in sports. The Australian Sports Commission encourages sporting clubs and groups to make it easier for Australians with disability to participate in sports activities with others. 

The Australian Sports Commission encourages clubs and organisations to:

• discuss with people with disabilities about their needs;
• identify ways that other members could assist with transport difficulties; and
• educate coaches and trainers about inclusivity and developing accessible programs.

According to Paralympics Australia, 75 percent of Australians with disability want to participate in sports but ‘feel there are limited opportunities.’ 

If you have disability and are looking to get started in playing sport, there are many different options available which can be searched by state on the Disability Gateway website, an initiative from the Australian Government.

In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Australia took home 18 gold medals, 19 silver medals and 16 bronze medals, with a total of 53 medals. 

Who are your favourite Paralympians?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

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