Carding cash, delivered by way of the Athlete Help Program, is a few of the solely constant funding Canadian elite para-athletes obtain. In 2024, it offers $1,765 per 30 days as a residing and coaching allowance to athletes on the worldwide competitors degree. And though Olympians earn $20,000 for a gold medal, $15,000 for a silver medal and $10,000 for a bronze medal by way of funding from the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympians have by no means earlier than been paid for reaching the rostrum.
The cash panorama is beginning to change for athletes, nonetheless. Beginning with Paris 2024, Canadian Paralympic medallists will obtain the identical amount of cash as their Olympic counterparts. Sponsors like Toyota and Air Canada have additionally put vital assets into sponsorships for athletes and their packages, and athletes are persevering with to advocate for extra money. So, what’s the monetary actuality of athletes who symbolize our nation?
Gold medal–profitable shot putter Greg Stewart spoke to MoneySense concerning the fraught monetary setting for para-athletes and his personal method to cash. At 38, he’s in his second go-round with regards to Paralympic competitors, having gained gold in shot put on the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo. He was beforehand on Canada’s sitting volleyball group—a pure match while you’re seven-foot-two—profitable bronze medals on the 2007 and 2011 Parapan American Video games. He beforehand gained three world titles with the lads’s para standing volleyball group.
Stewart retired from skilled sport in 2022, however he returned in 2024. He gained silver on the World Para Athletics Championships in Might, solidifying his choice for Paris 2024. Stewart just lately co-wrote a e book, Stand Out: The True Story of Paralympic Gold Medallist Greg Stewart (Kermode Training, 2024), and he’ll compete on the Summer season Video games in Paris on Sept. 4. As you’ll see on this interview, the monetary realities of competing are one thing he thinks about so much. (Interview has been condensed and frivolously edited.)
Inform me about your method to cash as a Paralympian?
My method has slowly been altering, now that society is beginning to view disabled individuals [better], to see us as equals. I feel we’re beginning to see that mirrored in how Paralympic or disabled athletes are handled. However on the identical time, there are nonetheless lots of prices to [being a professional para-athlete]. Folks with disabilities are nonetheless underfunded by way of the prices of kit, supporting themselves, and their fundamental wants. In the event you’re a carded athlete, that may—may—assist pay for a bit little bit of your hire. Nevertheless it’s not going anyplace towards supporting your incapacity.
Did funds play a job in your resolution to retire in 2022?
I selected to retire for 2 causes. I wished to spend extra time on the issues that mattered to me—and that was my associate and my earnings. Carding will not be sufficient cash to pay to your hire and meals, not to mention some other actions that you’ve. So, retirement gave me the chance to begin to earn a residing, and to create extra of a resume, by way of truly hunkering down and incomes a paycheque. Realistically, although, the vast majority of athletes are targeted on making an attempt to get carded, interval, as a result of they imagine that’s going to be a supply of earnings they’ll depend on. [They think they won’t] have to fret about perhaps choosing up that additional shift as an athlete.
What had been a few of these jobs that you simply did?
I used to work for my prosthetist. And I used to work within the recycling trade, in automotive scrap. I did that for 3 years whereas I used to be competing. It helped pay for lots of issues throughout COVID. However it will require me to step away from coaching for per week or week-and-a-half each time. The issue I’ve is that we’re speaking about athletes, we’re speaking about individuals which can be placing themselves on the market to symbolize Canada. The easiest way I may say it’s: we’re ambassadors for the nation. But, we’re in a 15-minutes-of-fame society in Canada. There’s no longevity to [sport in this country]. And if there’s, you as an athlete must make that longevity.
What affect do you see the rise in company funding having on Canadian para-sport athletes?
I feel it’s going to create a bit bit extra competitors inside para sport, as a result of it’s difficult typically to seek out rivals, relying on the occasion. Whenever you present cash, individuals’s ears perk up. They begin to understand, OK, there’s extra to this than simply ardour. On the identical time, I additionally assume that placing cash up entrance will doubtlessly create a bit little bit of greed, a bit little bit of corruption. That’s what cash does to all people. So long as we could be aware round that, then I feel actually good issues may occur.