Paris Paralympic Games: prize money for Hong Kong athletes almost doubled by Jockey Club
- Gold medal winners will get HK$1.5 million, with prize money being offered to those finishing as far down as eighth
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Friday that gold medal-winning athletes at this year’s Paris Paralympic Games will receive HK$1.5 million (US$192,333) in prize money, almost double what was awarded in Tokyo three years ago.
The cash incentive for podium toppers, which is four times lower than the HK$6 million Hong Kong fencers Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong Man-wai pocketed for their Paris gold medals, was announced by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu at the Paralympic flag presentation ceremony in the Central Government Office.
This year’s Paralympic Games will run from August 28 to September 8 and Hong Kong will send 23 athletes to compete across eight events, including swimming, table tennis and badminton.
“The Hong Kong SAR government fully supports the development of sports in Hong Kong, with a budget exceeding HK$130 million in the 2024-25 financial year to promote sports for people with disabilities,” Lee said.
“The Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme will also double its cash incentives this year to strongly support Hong Kong athletes in striving for excellence in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.”
Individual athletes who win silver will be awarded HK$750,000 and bronze medal winners will get HK$375,000. Fourth place will get HK$187,5000 and those who finish in fifth to eighth place will get half of that.