USA Announces Massive News for Tokyo Olympics 2020 Athletes- Equal Pay to Be Granted for Paralympians

At the Tokyo Olympics 2020 is a lot of recent changes have been made. The mega quadrennial games will be the first time Paralympians will be treated the same way as Olympians. USA started Paralympics in 1992 and is leading the medal tally.

US Olympic and Paralympic committee had decided to make a revolution by paying the Paralympic medalists the same as Olympians.

While the change in policy took place post-2018 Winter Olympics, Tokyo Olympics 2020 will see the change for the first time.

400% increase in compensations for medalists

The change in prize money is significant as there has been a hike of 400% for some. Earlier the Paralympic medalists received $7500 for gold, $5,250 for silver, and $3,750 for bronze.

However, now Paralympic medalists will receive $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for the bronze medal.

Paralympians integral part of the committee

The USOPC Committee CEO Sarah made this announcement in 2018, and she had called the Paralympians an integral part of the community. USOPC took this step to ensure every player gets equal rewards for their accomplishments.

While the Olympic powerhouse has been rewarding the Olympic medalists for years, there was a vast gap in the pay between them and Paralympians. Interestingly, this was long overdue as USA athletes lead in the Paralympics with 772 medals.

American Swimmer Trischa Zorn alone has won 55 individual medals, out of which 41 are gold. The para swimmer is blind since birth but is the most successful Paralympic athlete.

61 athletes nominated for Tokyo Olympics 2020

The USA is sending out a blend of veteran Olympians and upcoming young stars to Tokyo Olympics 2020. Making a comeback this year will be Olympic medalists Raymond Martin, Lex Gillette, Tatyana McFadden, and Cheri Madsen.

In the wheelchair category, Daniel Romanchuk had a stellar run at the Paralympic trials winning all the races. Newcomer Dederick who has stunningly defeated world champions will join him.

Unfortunately, American swimmer Becca Meyers has withdrawn from the team. Becca had to take this decision because of the disapproval to take her mother or an assistant to navigate her. Becca has a genetic disorder and was born deaf and has now lost her eyesight partially.

It was a disheartening decision for the athlete, but after her 2016 Rio experience, she was in horror to relive that in Tokyo. At Rio Olympics, she couldn’t eat properly because she wasn’t able to find the dining area and did not have anyone to navigate her.

However, the decision was taken because of limitations set by the host nation because of the pandemic. Paralympic athletes will vie for medals at the end of the month.

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