Liam Hickey praises decision to reward Paralympic champs with cash, like Olympians

Canadian Paralympic champions will now not only get a medal and a pat on the back but also cash, just like their Olympic counterparts.

Liam Hickey of St. John's a world champion in Para hockey and two-time Paralympic silver medallist, says it's about time.

"We've been waiting on it for a long time," said Hickey on Wednesday, the day the Canadian Paralympic committee announced a program that will supply the money for the winners.

In addition to Para hockey, Hickey also plays wheelchair basketball. He won a silver medal for Para hockey at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018 and another silver at the Beijing Games in 2022.

"Having this now kind of brings light to the importance of of equality," Hickey said. "It was always frustrating. We knew we weren't getting equal pay to to our fellow Olympians. So knowing that we are on the same level playing field now is is crucial and it's huge for generations coming up and and the Paralympic movement moving forward."

WATCH | Liam Hickey says he's pleased Paralympic athletes will be rewarded for their medals: 

Canadian Paralympic athletes will now earn money for medals — putting them on par with Olympic counterparts

1 year ago

Duration 2:07

Newfoundland and Labrador athlete Liam Hickey has two Paralympic medals. But he’s been awarded no money for them — while Olympic athletes bring home thousands of dollars for every gold, silver and bronze they rack up. That’s changing now, and Hickey and other athletes say it’s about time.

Under the new program, gold medallists will receive $20,000, silver medallists $15,000 and bronze medallists $10,000, the same as Olympic athletes.

A total of $14 million is funding the program, with money from the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, the Malaviya Foundation and the federal government.

Hickey says the money won't make him train harder, but it's a great motivator as his eyes are set on the upcoming Paralympic games in Paris this year and the 2026 Games in Italy.

"We play because we love our country and we love the sport that we play," he said.

"I think money is is just an extra bonus. It kind of pays for all the hard work that you put in for the four years that you train to get to the Paralympics. And it's nice to know that there's something there to to fight for even harder."

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