Paris 2024 represents first Games Paralympians are receiving equitable financial reward for winning a medal thanks to funding from the Paralympic Foundation of Canada.
A total allocation of $535,000 has officially been awarded to Canadian Paralympic medallists for their achievements at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games through the inaugural distribution of the Paralympic Performance Recognition program, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced Monday.
Paralympic Performance Recognition, funded by the Paralympic Foundation of Canada (PFC), was first announced last January and will be in place for every Games from Paris 2024 onward. The program was created with initial contributions of more than $6 million to an endowment fund made possible through generous donations of $4 million from the Malaviya Foundation and $2.02 million from the Government of Canada. Awards for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were also supported by a $277,000 donation from The Rossy Foundation.
“This is a historic milestone for the Paralympic Movement in Canada and we are so proud to be able to reward Canada’s Paris 2024 medallists with this financial recognition,” said Marc-André Fabien, president, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “Canadian Paralympians ignited the world stage in Paris with so many incredible performances, uniting people across the country as we all cheered them on. Paralympic Performance Recognition is an acknowledgment of the commitment and hard work that went into their achievements as well as a celebration of equity and inclusion, which helps fuel athletic excellence. Congratulations to each Paris 2024 Paralympic medallist – this recognition is so deserved.”
The Canadian Paralympic Team won 29 medals in Paris – 10 gold, nine silver, and 10 bronze. It was Canada’s highest gold medal total since Beijing 2008 and bested the team’s 21 overall podiums earned at Tokyo 2020.
Thirty-one team members won medals in Paris, including six multi-medallists and one team sport, women’s sitting volleyball. Athletes receive $20,000 per gold medal won, $15,000 per silver, and $10,000 per bronze, equal amounts to their Olympic counterparts. Click here for the list of Paris 2024 Paralympic medallists.
“Paralympic Performance Recognition is a game-changing initiative for Paralympic sport in Canada and PFC is proud to be funding it,” said Dean Brokop, executive director, Paralympic Foundation of Canada. “This program reflects the growth of Paralympic sport in Canada and the importance of supporting athletes at all levels, so the next generation of Para athletes can also envision themselves on the podium at the Paralympic Games. Thank you to the Malaviya Foundation and the Government of Canada for their support; together we are making sport more equitable in Canada.”
In addition to Paralympic Performance Recognition, the Team Canada Podium Awards distributed a further $195,000 to Paralympic medallists, with a $5,000 grant per medal earned at the Paris Games. Team Canada Podium Awards, made possible by the Malaviya Foundation, are presented to Paralympic and Olympic medallists and have been in place for the Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, and Paris 2024 Games, as well as the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
“I am so honoured to be part of the first Paralympic Games where Paralympians were awarded medal bonuses just like our incredible Canadian Olympic teammates. What a monumental step forward towards inclusivity and equality in sport in Canada. It’s a phenomenal incentive and feeling that our country also values the sacrifices and adversities that we Paralympians make and overcome to wear our maple leaf proudly on the world stage,” said Brianna Hennessy, Paris 2024 Para canoe silver medallist and co-Closing Ceremony flag bearer.
“Earning money in recognition of our performances in Paris is the cherry on top. Simply put, everyone at this level wants to win and be the best regardless of financial gain, however, receiving recognition that is equal to our able-bodied counterparts on the Canadian team has really begun to unite our nation’s athletes under one umbrella of high performance. Gold is gold, and winning is winning. There is nothing easy about it and therefore it should be recognized. Team Canada feels more like a team than ever before, and we feel united by the respect for one another’s efforts and by equally acknowledging the athletes who are representing our nation on the greatest playing field sport can offer,” said Austin Smeenk, Paris 2024 two-time Para athletics medallist.
“This medal program is huge on many levels. It is a powerful sign of respect, which aligns with the growth of the Paralympic movement. Having this money will help me prepare for the world championships next October! There is a growing desire among Paralympians to be recognized as professional athletes, and this is one step towards that goal. I would like to thank Mr. Malaviya and the Malaviya Foundation for their generosity,” said Nate Riech, Paris 2024 Para athletics silver medallist.
The Paralympic Performance Recognition program is part of PFC’s greater IGNITE campaign, the largest-ever initiative to empower Paralympic sport in Canada, aiming to raise $35 million. For more information or to donate in support of greater inclusion and equity for Paralympic athletes and for providing more opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport, visit Paralympic.ca/foundation/how-you-can-help.
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