In 2008 and 2012, our Paralympian medalists were rewarded with significantly less money than their able-bodied counterparts. Yip Pin Xiu was rewarded with $200,000 for her trouble at the Beijing Olympics – and only because people protested about the initial $100,000 prize money.

If history repeats itself in 2016, she’ll be given just a fifth of the prize money of gold medallist Joseph Schooling, and for only one of the two Paralympic golds she now has.

But if it were up to us, we would give Yip $2 million in prize money. Here's why.

1.  Because Pin Xiu’s effort is not 20% of that of an Olympian

It isn’t. Here’s what she had to say to those who think her Paralympic gold medal(s) cannot be compared with an Olympic one because they don’t think para-sports is the same as able-bodied sports.

Here's the thing. Most of us will never know what it's like to be disabled (until you reach old age, that is, hehe). We're not qualified to talk about how much 'easier' para-sports is.

To assume she has it easier – without having muscular dystrophy yourself – is just to be an armchair critic.

2. Because “inclusive society”

Being an inclusive society is more than hardware such as lifts and ramps for the elderly and disabled.

To borrow a term word that doesn't exist from the government, it’s about the "heartware" – recognising that everyone can contribute and inspire equally, or even more to society as much as their able-bodied counterparts. That means recognising the Olympics and Paralympics are equal as games at the highest level of both able-bodied and para-sports, and the athletes that compete in both should get the same rewards.

3. Her condition is expensive to treat

Medication and treatment for muscular dystrophy isn’t cheap in Singapore. There’s no cure, and the loss of control of muscles is inevitable.

Yip doesn’t like to think about life 10 years down the road – and has said that she 'does not do it for the money', but certainly in expensive Singapore a nice cushion of $1 million wouldn’t hurt.

4. She’s not doing it just for herself

Yip told the Straits Times:

"But I want to show Singaporeans that as long as you set your mind on something, regardless of your circumstances, you can find opportunities along the way and you can reach your goal."

5. In a country obsessed with track records, she’s a proven athlete

If having three Paralympic gold medals and smashing world records doesn’t make you a proven athlete, we’re not sure what does.

6. Few countries reward their Paralympians and Olympians equally

But why wait for others to do something that's right? Instead of waiting for the Scandinavian countries, and/or Europe/Japan/US to implement it, this is Singapore’s chance to be a role model to the world.

7. Malaysia’s doing the same

In case you haven’t heard: Malaysia’s giving their Paralympians the same cash reward as their Olympians.

Even AirAsia doesn’t differentiate between Olympians and Paralympians:

And if there’s one thing about us Singaporeans, is that we hate losing out to Malaysia. See 1:00

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8. From the looks of it, she probably won’t be scoring any sponsorship deals

When private corporations fail, the government steps in to make things right. (For further reading: SMRT buyout by Temasek)

9. Recognising this achievement will do more for Singaporean athletes than the following:

This $1.33 billion Sports Hub.

This S$387 million event that people forgot even happened.

10. It’s 2016 guys.

If you want to talk about equality, there’s no better time than now.

For an article that gives a highly rational perspective from a practical policy makers' POV, click here:  Should Paralympians be on the same reward scheme as Olympians?

Also, we do know that the current Athlete's Achievement Award only covers the first gold medal. But why stop there for double the achievement, right?

Read more about Yip's other incredible achievements in Rio:

Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh, now available in 4cm tall minifigs

The number of companies congratulating world record breaker Yip Pin Xiu is absolutely incredible

Paralympic two-time gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu knows you think her achievement ‘cannot be compared’ with Schooling’s

Public: ‘Remember, put Yip Pin Xiu in front of photo’. SIA: ‘Thank you for your feedback’

Yip Pin Xiu clinches gold at Paralympics, setting two world records in one race

Top photo adapted from Getty Images.

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