Breakout Paralympics star Tim Hodge warns Australia could be left behind unless a key change is made

Paralympic star Tim Hodge warns Australia risks falling behind if the country does not match the Olympic Games in spending on para sport.

Hodge will leave Paris next week with three Paralympic medals to his name, after taking silver in the 100m butterfly (S9) on Friday.

His teammate Ben Hance claimed Australia’s first gold medal of the day less than half an hour later at La Defense Arena when he finished first in the 100m backstroke (S14).

17-year-old Callum Simpson also won his first individual gold medal when he finished first in the 100m freestyle (S8).

Simpson, Hance, 24, and Hodge, 23, and 19-year-old Lewis Bishop, who won bronze in the same race as Hodge, form the core of Australia’s Paralympic team ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Hodge leaves Paris with two gold medals in the 200-meter medley (S9) and the 34-point 4×100-meter relay, in addition to his silver.

His catch is likely to earn him a medal bonus worth $20,000, as part of a funding deal brokered by Sports Minister Annika Wells.

While his achievements earned him a welcome reward, Hodge says other para-athletes are not as fortunate.

“The medal bonuses and financial support that Paralympic athletes are now receiving is absolutely incredible,” Hodge said.

“It really gives us the opportunity to train and perform like our Olympic peers do, and we don’t have to worry as much about rent and whether I have a suit for the next competition that’s not two years old.”

While the Aussies enjoyed a successful Paralympic Games in Paris, the medals could dry up without more government funding

Hodge was keen to emphasise that despite increased funding, some Paralympic sports are worse cousins ​​than their Olympic counterparts.

“I don’t know the numbers, but I do know it’s a widespread problem and we hope to change it by raising awareness of Para sport,” Hodge said.

“While the Olympics are a showcase of human excellence, the Paralympic Games are a showcase of human resilience. And people back home can relate to that.”

“They might see someone on TV who is missing a leg or an arm or has some other condition, and they think, ‘Well, they can do that. Why can’t I?’

‘To build the Paralympic movement and ensure that it continues to exist for future generations, I believe that real money is needed.’

While Hodge appealed to sponsors and the government, Hance reflected on “the worst year” of his life.

Hance, who lost his father Tony earlier this year, set a new world record in his series and then won gold in his final.

“This has been the worst year of my life so far, I’m glad the season is over, I’m glad I won a gold medal,” Hance said.

“I was just thanking my dad for everything he’s done. He always loved my backstroke and I’m glad I definitely gave him a gold medal tonight…

He should have been in the stands.

‘I just enjoyed the work, the best 10 weeks of training of my life. I enjoyed it.’