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Swapnil had received a cash prize of Rs 2 crore from the Maharashtra government after winning bronze in men’s 50m rifle three positions event in the Paris Olympics on 1 August, which his father Suresh believes isn’t enough. read more
 "Swapnil Kusale's father demands Rs 5 crore cash prize, flat in Pune for Paris Olympics bronze medal")
Swapnil Kusale became only the second athlete from Maharashtra to win an individual Olympic medal with a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at Paris Olympics 2024. Reuters
Shooter Swapnil Kusale’s father has expressed disappointment over the cash prize that was awarded to his son for winning bronze in the Paris Olympics recently, saying he should be given a much higher amount.
Swapnil had received a cash prize of Rs 2 crore from the Maharashtra government after winning bronze in men’s 50m rifle three positions event in the Paris Olympics on 1 August.
The bronze won by the 29-year-old rifle shooter, who hails from Kolhapur, was India’s third in the Games after pistol shooter Manu Bhaker’s historic double bronze, including in a mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh.
Read | Swapnil Kusale: The railway ticket collector who won bronze at Paris Olympics
Swapnil’s father Suresh, however, has said that the cash prize awarded by the Haryana government to athletes hailing from the state is a lot higher than what his son received from the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government.
Suresh added that his son should get Rs 5 crore in prize money along with a flat near the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.
Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, Suresh Kusale claimed, “The Haryana government gives Rs 5 crore to its each (Olympics medal winning) player (Haryana gives Rs 6 crore to a gold medallist, Rs 4 crore to silver medallist, Rs 2.5 crore to bronze winner).
“As per a new policy announced by the Maharashtra government, an Olympic bronze medal winner will get Rs 2 crore. Why does the state form such criteria when Swapnil was only the second individual Olympic medal winner from Maharashtra (after wrestler K D Jadhav in 1952) in 72 years?” he asked.
“Five individuals won medals in the Paris Olympics for India, of whom four were from Haryana and one, Swapnil Kusale, from Maharashtra. Haryana is a much smaller state compared to Maharashtra, but it gives higher prize money to its medal-winning athletes,” he said.
“However, our government has announced Rs 5 crore for a gold medal winner, Rs 3 crore for a silver medallist and Rs 2 crore for a bronze medallist. Why have such a criteria when only two players from Maharashtra have won individual Olympic medals in so many years?” Suresh Kusale asked.
“Had I known such an outcome, I would have persuaded him to explore a career in some other sports. Is the amount kept low because Swapnil is from a humble background? Would the reward amount have remained the same if he had been the son of an MLA or a minister?” he wondered.
Suresh also asked for the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena at the sports complex in Balewadi, Pune to be named after his son.
“Swapnil should get Rs 5 crore as an award, a flat near Balewadi Sports Stadium so that he could easily commute for practice. Swapnil’s name should be given to the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena,” he said when asked about his demands.
Besides the cash prize from the Maharashtra government, Swapnil had also received a promotion from Central Railway, his employer, and appointed an officer on special duty.
The Maharashtra government had recently doubled the prize money for athletes winning medals at major events including the World Championships and Asian Games besides the Olympics.
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