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Swapnil Kusale was awarded a prize of Rs 1 crore from Maharashtra government and a promotion by his employer Central Railway after winning bronze at Paris Olympics 2024. read more
 "Paris Olympics 2024 medal brings double joy for Swapnil Kusale — Rs 1 crore prize and railway promotion")
Swapnil Kusale is the first India shooter to win an Olympic medal in 50m rifle 3P event. AP
The historic bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics 2024 has brought double joy for Maharashtra rifle shooter Swapnil Kusale as he has been awarded a handsome cash prize award from the state government and a promotion from his employer - the Central Railway. Kusale, who hails from Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district, became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event after clinching a bronze on Thursday.
After his history-making feat which helped India stretch their Paris Olympics 2024 medal tally to three, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a prize of Rs 1 crore for shooter Kusale.
Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more
“The Maharashtra government is announcing a prize of Rs 1 crore for Kusale. He will be felicitated on his arrival from the Olympics,” the CM said.
Kusale, 28, was also appointed as an officer on special duty by the Central Railway after his medal win in Paris.
Kusale has been promoted as OSD, Sports Cell in Mumbai from travelling ticket examiner (TTE), CR chief public relations officer Swapnil Nila said.
He had joined Railways as a Commercial cum Ticket Clerk in Central Railway’s Pune Division in 2015.
“Kusale has made history by bagging a bronze medal. This achievement not only adds to India’s medal tally but also establishes Swapnil as a significant figure in Indian shooting sports,” CR said in a release.
“His success comes after years of dedication and training, making him a role model for aspiring athletes in the country,” the release added.
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The promotion reportedly brings an end to a nine-year wait.
Kusale’s coach Deepali Deshpande in an interview with the Times of India said that he was never given a promotion despite winning medals at seven multi-national events.
Kusale had won gold for India at the Asian Games 2023, World Cup 2021, and 2022.
“He was very disappointed by the attitude of his office. He has been working with the Railways for the past nine years, but was never considered for promotion,” Deshpande told TOI.
Railways refuted this claim by calling it “incorrect information”.
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