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In a statement released today, the Australian Government announced it will ensure Australia’s Paralympic athletes receive payments for winning medals at the Tokyo Games aligned with the payments to Tokyo Olympic medallists.

The joint statement from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Australian Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck advises “the decision ensures Paralympics Australia can recognise our champion Paralympic athletes in line with payments made by the Australian Olympic Committee to medal-winning athletes in Tokyo.

“Australia’s para-athletes have represented our nation with great distinction and pride in Tokyo, delivering performances that have buoyed millions during what is a difficult time for the nation.

“Australia is eighth on the overall medal tally with 60 medals and four days of competition still to come.

“Like their Olympic counterparts, Paralympians often have to make major sacrifices in their lives foregoing family and work to train and compete nationally and internationally.

The statement notes that the Australian Government is committed to working with Paralympics Australia and other national sporting bodies to grow corporate sponsorship for para-sports.

This additional commercial revenue could ensure Paralympics Australia can sustainably make medal bonus payments to athletes at future Paralympics.

The statement also advises that the Australian Government is proud to support Australian athletes in achieving their Paralympic dreams and was already delivering record levels of Government support for Paralympic high-performance athletes.

The Government is the major funding source for para-sports and in the five years leading up to the Tokyo Paralympics, the Government has provided $88.8 million for para-athlete high performance programs.

Commonwealth Government Paralympic high performance funding has in fact increased by 40% since 2012.

The Government has also provided significant funding for para-sport infrastructure and in the 2021/22 Budget, provided Paralympics Australia with $3.5 million to cover extra Paralympic travel costs associated with the Tokyo Games caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Image: Madison de Rozario stormed home in very wet conditions to claim a bronze medal in Women's 1500metre T54. Courtesy facebook.com/AUSParalympics/

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