German Sports Support Raises Its Medal Bonuses For Paralympic Athletes

The German Sports Federation of Disabled Athletes (DBS) and nonprofit German Sports Support "agreed to raise the bonuses for Medal-winning athletes at the 2012 London Paralympic Games," according to the DPA. The German Sports Support will pay €7,500 ($9,400) instead of €4,500 ($5,700) for a Gold Medal, €5,000 ($6,300) instead of €3,000 ($3,800) for a Silver Medal and €3,000 instead of €1,500 ($1,900) for a Bronze Medal. DBS President Friedhelm Julius Beucher said, "The increase of the bonuses is an appreciation for the performances of people with disabilities and therefore a step toward equality of disabled and non-disabled people." The German Sports Support financially supports 118 out the 150 athletes of the German Paralympic team. So far, the German Sports Support has already spent €2.63M ($3.3M) for the support of disabled athletes in '12. The estimated amount that will be paid to Medal-winning athletes at the Paralympic Games "is in the middle six-digit range" (DPA, 8/28).