Paralympics 2024 prize money and why Team GB athletes will not earn a single penny

The Paralympic Games has officially begun with many athletes on the road to gold. There are few moments as prestigious as standing on the podium, with a medal draped around your neck, while your national anthem is played in front of your proud loved ones. 

For many years, this honour was the sole reward athletes received for their triumphs at the games. However, the Olympic Games, which concluded on August 11, shifted from the amateur tradition and introduced prize money for those who win a gold medal.

World Athletics announced that gold medallists would receive prize money for the games in Paris. As well as honour, national pride, and a place in sporting history, Express Sport explores what else is at stake for the competitors.

Is there any prize money?

While World Athletics made a prize pot of £1.9million available for gold medal winners, those who are successful in the Paralympics will not receive a penny.

This is because they are governed by World Para Athletics, who are neither affiliated with nor under the same jurisdiction as World Athletics. This means that athletes hoping to earn from their participation will have to rely on sponsorships or their country's funding.

Do any countries pay their Paralympic champions?

There are many that do. The United States announced their Paralympic athletes will have the same prize money as their able-bodied Olympic colleagues. Olympic champions from the States bagged $37,500 (£28,368) for a gold, $22,500 (£17,021) for a silver and $15,000 (£11,347) for a bronze.

Hong Kong paid their Olympic athletes the most. Their gold medallists earned a whopping $769,000 (£659,730) for a gold, $380,000 (£295,500) for a silver, and $190,000 (£143,790) for a bronze. However, their Paralympians will receive six times less than those figures.

Malaysia is among the most generous nations. They award their Olympic and Paralympic athletes with $241,000 (£182,380) for gold, $72,200 (£54,638) for silver, and $24,100 (£18,240) for a bronze.

For the rest of their lives, they are also handed a monthly salary of $1,182 (£897) for a gold, $709 (£538) for a silver and $473 (£359) for a bronze.

Do British Paralympians get paid for winning a medal?

Unfortunately, no. British para-athletes do not receive any financial reward for medalling in their respective events. However, they will be eligible for an annual training stipend.

The UK government has previously declared its commitment to provide £232m to aid competitors from the UK and Northern Ireland in their preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.