NSW issues Paris 2024 funding challenge to other states after pledging $750,000 to Paralympics Australia

NSW has committed to equal funding for Olympic and Paralympic athletes and issued a challenge for other states to “get competitive”.

NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper has called on other states to follow NSW’s lead and match their funding commitment to Paralympians competing at the 2024 Paris Games.

On Tuesday, the state government pledged $750,000 to Paralympics Australia that matched the commitment to the Australian Olympic Committee made by former premier Dominic Perrottet in March. The funding boost also more than doubles the $330,000 made by the former government for Paralympic athletes competing at the Tokyo Games in 2020.

“It’s time for other states to get on-board and get competitive and match this deal. This is really important, that we support all our Paralympians at the Paris Games,” he said.

Sports Minister Steve Kamper issued a challenge for other states to ‘get competitive’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Former Paralympian and Gosford MP Liesl Tesch said the funding was a “game changer”.

“I’ve melted a lot of chocolates in the back of my car to raise money to pay for my Paralympic career, and I’ve worked full time through a Paralympic career to be able to compete as an athlete,” she said.

Paralympics Australia chief executive Catherine Clark said the funding could be used to help athletes buy specialised or customised equipment or access health, medical or support services like guides for visually impaired competitors.

“This is the first time the Australian Paralympic team has received equal team donation funding and this is about recognition and support for athletes with a disability,” she said.

“This decision matters because it’s a message to our sport and disability communities that discrimination on the basis of disability is not OK.”