Medalists at the Paralympics earn hundreds of thousands of dollars less than those at the Olympics.

Many of us will be looking for a healthy bonus to assist us start the new year as 2024 comes to an end. The same is true for elite athletes.In recognition of their athletic accomplishments, numerous gold medalists from this year's Olympics in Paris will be receiving enormous bonuses and presents. But according to a CNN Sport study, many of their Paralympic counterparts are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars less in compensation.Numerous nations have distinct National Olympic and Paralympic committees (NOCs and NPCs, respectively) and governing organizations that run their individual sports in ways that differ from those of other nations. For instance, Australia has two organizations—the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia—while the United States has just one, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). In a similar vein, World Athletics and World Para Athletics are separate organizations that oversee track and field for the physically fit and paralyzed, respectively. As he and Elena Congost near the finish line of the women's T12 marathon, Mia Carol falters.Numerous NOCs and NPCs get funding from both public and private sources, including sponsorship and rights like Spain's. Some, like China or Great Britain, get most of their funding from the government in addition to other sources (such a national lottery). Others, like the USOPC, are nonprofit organizations that rely on private investment and the kindness of the nation's citizens (e.g. the USOPC's direct fan donation scheme) and do not receive any government money.

When possible, CNN obtained information from credible local reporting and contacted Olympic and Paralympic officials from each of the countries participating at this year's Games in Paris. Some countries, such as Great Britain, forbid or do not let competitors to receive awards. Only 23 countries including Taiwan gave their Paralympic champions bonuses this big, while at least 42 nations gave gold medalists over $100,000 following the Paris Olympics. Sarah Storey, Great Britain's most successful Paralympic athlete, told CNN Sport, "Looking across the world, it is very disappointing that nations place such a varying importance on the funding of their athletes and that the profile and opportunity for para-athletes is often overlooked."