Sport’s greatest spectacle will enter its second phase on Wednesday, 28 August, when the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games officially kicks off in the French capital. The multi-event sporting competition will see more than 4,400 athletes from across 169 nations compete for medals in a range of individual and team sports. For Australian competitors, success on the sporting field is two-fold, with the Federal Government confirming that it will provide financial rewards to Paralympians who win medals at the Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games. So, how much do our Australian sporting heroes earn for topping the podium?
| Medal Result | Prize Money (AUD) |
| Gold | $20,000 |
| Silver | $15,000 |
| Bronze | $10,000 |
Paris 2024 Paralympics Prize Money
Speaking ahead of the Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony on August 28, Australian Minister for Sport Anika Wells confirmed this year’s prize money. Under the current system, Australian Paralympic gold medallists will be awarded AUD$20,000, silver medallists will receive AUD$15,000 and bronze medallists AUD$10,000.
Importantly, this figure brings Paralympians in line with Olympic medallists, whose reward payments are funded by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). According to Paralympics Australia president Alison Creagh, the Government’s backing signals important recognition of the dedication required to succeed at the Paralympic level.
“This investment by the Australian Government recognises the importance of Paralympic sport in Australia,” Creagh said. “Our Paralympic athletes are role models who inspire the nation and we know they will have Australia cheering them on when they compete in the weeks ahead.
“Paralympics Australia is grateful, particularly to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Minister for Sport Anika Wells, for their commitment to the Paralympic Movement in Australia. Their support ensures that our athletes can continue to achieve greatness and inspire future generations.”
Paralympian Pay Parity
For Australian Paralympians, the road to pay parity has been a long one. For decades, Paralympic athletes did not receive financial incentives for medalling, a decision that was largely chalked up to economic pressures. Paralympics Australia, which operates as an entirely separate entity and works with different sponsors to the Australian Olympic Committee, reportedly does not have the financial resources to invest in a self-funded reward scheme.
This discrepancy was largely unknown to the public; however, when Olympic rugby sevens champion and AFLW player Chloe Dalton launched a pay parity campaign at the height of the 2021 Tokyo Games, the Australian Government took notice. Dalton’s GoFundMe campaign raised more than $50,000 in its first three days and was well on its way to the $100,000 goal when Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke out. In a statement made alongside Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck, the Prime Minister announced that for the first time ever, Paralympians will be paid the same bonuses as Olympians.
“I’m very pleased to announce that the government will provide additional support to Paralympics Australia to ensure our Paralympic medallists will receive equivalent payments to our Olympic medallists,” Morrison said in his September 2021 speech. “…We are so, so proud of our team. They have shown discipline, focus, determination, dogged persistence, a great sense of humour, a great sense of the Australian spirit on display.”
Paralympian Boost
The Federal Government’s financial backing brought Australia in line with several other nations, including the United States, which offers Paralympic athletes the same $52,000 bonus for gold medals as it does for Olympians. With the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games set to take hold in August, confirmation that the incentive will return comes at a pivotal time.
“When it was first announced in Tokyo it was so exciting and to know that it’s happening again is gratifying,” Tokyo dual goal medallist and Australian flag-bear Madison De Rozario said of the announcement.
“Paralympians aren’t here in Paris for money – we’re here in the green-and-gold because of what it means to us to compete for our country. But 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.”
2024 Paris Paralympics
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games will take place from August 28 to September 8. It marks the first time the event has been held in Paris and the second time France has hosted the Paralympics. This year, 160 Australian athletes will compete across 17 sports, with 549 medals up for grabs.
Opening Ceremony
The 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2pm ET on August 28, 2024, at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. In Australia, the event will air at 4am AEST.
Paralympic Sports
As an event, the Paralympic Games offers a rare and important opportunity to see the world’s most impressive athletes tackle sports that are largely unseen and untelevised to the general public. Two sports, boccia and goalball, are exclusive to the Paralympics and make for must-see television. Additionally, the Summer Paralympics features sports such as:
- Wheelchair Rugby
- Wheelchair Basketball
- Para Table Tennis
- Para Triathlon Race
- Blind Soccer
- Wheelchair Fencing
- Para Archery
- Para Cycling
- Para Powerlifting
Most importantly, Australian athletes at this year’s games will receive a pivotal financial boost should they secure a podium finish. According to Paralympics Australia president Alison Creagh, decisions like this help to pave the way for Australia’s next generation of sporting heroes.
“Knowing that their achievements are valued equally to their Olympic colleagues will give our athletes more confidence and motivation to compete at their best,” Creagh said. “Many of our Paralympians face significant financial strain as they pursue success on the world stage. This support rewards their success and acknowledges the broader challenges they face.”
