It is important to understand that the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games are two different Games which aim at enhancing abilities in different ways. Similarly, there is the Paralympics which focuses on the achievements of disabled sportsmen and women. Both have attracted sufficient coverage and patriotism in India
Paris remains one of the best Paralympic performances for India with 29 medals including 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze, placing 18th in the over 50 medals in the Paralympics. With such exceptional performance the athletes were welcomed back home like heroes as the country rejoiced with them.
India’s Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday offered cash incentives to the country’s Paralympic athletes after a remarkable performance in the ongoing Paris Paralympic Games. Mandaviya said that gold medalists would be paid Rs 75 lakh while silver and bronze medalists would get Rs 50 lakh and Rs 30 lakh respectively.
Gold medalists- 75 Lakh
Silver medalists- 50 Lakh
Bronze medalists- 30 Lakh
Thus, in mixed team events like that of archer Sheetal Devi, winners shall be paid Rs 22.5 lakh.
The decision to equally compensate the Olympians and Paralympians appears to have been made by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.