Canadian Paralympic Athletes Will Now Get Paid When They Win Medals Just Like Olympians Do
The financial rewards will be the same amount Canadian Olympians receive when winning medals.
The Sled Hockey Italy Vs Canada at the 2018 Paralympic games in Peyongchang. Right: Paralympians showing their medals.
Team Canada's Paralympic athletes will now receive a financial reward for medals they win at the Paralympic Games.
The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) announced on Wednesday that Paralympians will get paid the same amount as Olympians for making it to the podium.
The new Paralympic Performance Recognition program was announced at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.
Why you should care: Under this new initiative, Canada's Paralympic athletes will receive $20,000 for winning a gold medal, $15,000 for a silver medal and $10,000 for a bronze medal, according to a press release.
These are the same amounts that Canadian Olympians receive when winning medals.
The financial rewards are set to begin at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and each edition of the Games following that one.
What they're saying: Canada's Paralympics have shared their reaction to the news.
Aurélie Rivard, a three-time Paralympian and 10-time Paralympic medallist called it a "major step" forward for Paralympians.
"We are making the decision as a country to equally value and support the athletes representing Canada, regardless of their differences. I think that this is a major step towards seeing a Paralympic medal worth the same as an Olympic medal," Rivard said in the press release.
Nicolas-Guy Turbide, two-time Paralympian and two-time Paralympic medallist said the new program brings Paralympians "one step closer to earning the same recognition and respect as our Olympic counterparts."
"During my career I have trained alongside Olympians and Paralympians, and it hasn't always felt like achievements at the Paralympics held the same value as medaling at the Olympics," he added.
An initial $8 million endowment created by the CPC's partner, the Paralympic Foundation of Canada (PFC), will launch the Paralympic Performance Recognition program.
Half of the funds will come from lead donor Canadian entrepreneur Sanjay Malaviya who is matching a $2-million contribution from the federal government.
Another $2-million is set to be raised and Malaviya will also be matching that amount.
According to the press release issued on Wednesday, the Malaviya Foundation's total contribution of $4-million is one of the highest donations in Canadian Paralympic sports history.
Similar programs for Paralympic athletes already exist in other countries, including the U.S., France and Australia.
ICYMI: Before this program, Canadian Paralympians received no money when winning a medal.
Rivard spoke to Narcity back in 2021 and called the issue a "Canada problem." The Paralympic swimmer added that Paralympians put in the "same work and the same effort" but got a "tenth of what the Olympic athletes get."
The 2024 Summer Paralympics will run from August 28 to September 8.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.