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Jamus Lim calls for equal recognition and rewards for Olympians and Paralympians

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party MP for Sengkang GRC, praised Olympians Jeralyn Tan, Maximilian Maeder, and Yip Pin Xiu in Parliament on 16 October 2024 for their Paris Games achievements. He called for equal monetary rewards for Olympians and Paralympians, citing moral and economic grounds for fairness.

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Jeralyn Tan, Yip Pin Xiu and Maximilian Maeder

In a speech delivered on 16 October 2024 in Parliament, Associate Professor Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Sengkang GRC, expressed his admiration for Team Singapore athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

During the motion titled Olympic and Paralympic Achievements, Lim particularly acknowledged medallists Jeralyn Tan, Maximilian Maeder, and Yip Pin Xiu for their outstanding performances and achievements.

Assoc Prof Lim began by extending his appreciation to all national athletes, stating that their dedication and sacrifices, whether they secured a medal or not, exemplified their passion and commitment to the nation.

He noted the extraordinary efforts of Jeralyn Tan, who secured a medal in boccia at the Paralympics, Maximilian Maeder, who became Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist in kitefoiling, and Yip Pin Xiu, who continued her dominance in the pool by winning two gold medals in backstroke events.

Despite these commendations, Assoc Prof Lim raised questions about the disparity in the monetary rewards offered to Olympians and Paralympians in Singapore.

He noted that, under the current system, cash rewards are given under separate programmes: the Major Games Award (MGA) for Olympians, managed by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), and the Athletes’ Achievement Awards (AAA) for Paralympians, overseen by the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC).

Assoc Prof Lim highlighted that these rewards are funded by the Tote Board, a government agency, leading him to question why the government has not taken steps to ensure parity between the two.

He recalled previous Parliamentary questions posed by both the Workers’ Party and the People’s Action Party, alluding to bipartisan concerns over the unequal treatment of able-bodied athletes and athletes with disabilities.

Assoc Prof Lim argued that, while the SNOC and SNPC are technically non-governmental organisations (NGOs), their close ties to the government through sponsorship and council membership—some of which involve current and former ministers—suggest that the government can exercise influence over the award structures.

Addressing the economic arguments for unequal rewards, Assoc Prof Lim pointed out that athletes generally compete for the love of their sport rather than financial gain, yet still require financial support to continue competing at the highest levels.

He argued that monetary rewards, though secondary to passion, play a crucial role in allowing athletes to sustain their careers, especially during periods where success may be uncertain.

Assoc Prof Lim also refuted arguments that Paralympians should receive smaller rewards because their competitions are less popular or have fewer participants.

He equated this reasoning to arguing that athletes in less popular sports like sepak takraw or silat should receive smaller rewards compared to footballers. In his view, such distinctions undermine the value of diverse sporting disciplines and achievements.

Expanding on this argument, Assoc Prof Lim cited the example of the U.S. women’s soccer team, which, despite drawing larger audiences and generating more revenue than their male counterparts, fought a lengthy legal battle for equal pay.

Similarly, he pointed to the case of athletes in the billion-dollar NCAA leagues in the U.S., who receive limited compensation despite the vast revenues their performances generate.

He concluded his economic analysis by stating that the market dynamics of supply and demand do not justify the current disparity in rewards for Olympians and Paralympians.

Rather, the issue should be viewed through a moral lens. According to Assoc Prof Lim, Paralympians deserve equal recognition for competing at the highest levels, regardless of their classification or the number of competitors in their categories.

In his closing remarks, Assoc Prof Lim urged the government to take an active role in ensuring equal monetary rewards for both groups of athletes, following the lead of countries like Canada, the United States, and France, which have already implemented similar policies.

He argued that such a move would align with Singapore’s broader values of equality, compassion, and non-discrimination.

Assoc Prof Lim’s call to action was framed within the context of broader societal goals, with the Workers’ Party having long advocated for equal opportunities for all Singaporeans.

He concluded by stating that recognising the achievements of all athletes equally, through financial rewards, would be a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

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