Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, has presented monetary rewards to three athletes, Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, Jessica Lewis and Conor White, in recognition of their exploits at two international events.

Cyclist Conor White received $4,500 for winning bronze in the time-trial at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. Jessica Lewis was presented with $10,000 after she secured gold in the T53 100 metres at the Parapan Am Games, while DeSilva-Andrade got $7,500 for winning silver in the boccia at the same games.

In presenting the rewards to the athletes, Darrell stated that with continued support from the Government, there is optimism that these athletes will persist in achieving sporting excellence on the global stage.

For the 30-year-old Lewis, the funds will assist her a lot next year as she tries to qualify for the Paris Paralympic Games. She is soon heading off to the United Arab Emirates for the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, before she competes at the World Championships in Japan.

“It’s definitely an honour to be able to bring a gold medal home, my third gold medal from Parapan Am Games,’’ Lewis said.

“To get the recognition and the support from the ministry is absolutely amazing. I’m so honoured to be able to wear Bermuda on my back when I’m racing. I just cherish every opportunity that I get.

“The funds will go a long way next year. We have a very big year with a lot of competitions coming up that will help me qualify for the Paris Paralympics. The $10,000 will go into supporting those events.”

DeSilva-Andrade has set her sights on the Paralympics Games, an event she has already qualified for.

“It’s awesome, it’s my first Parapan Am Games medal, it’s a big honour to bring a medal back to Bermuda,’’ she said.

“The monetary reward keeps me going. It motivates me to keep going because I know I’m capable of doing it.

“I have a World Cup in April and then after that should be the Paralympics.”

White emphasised that money is never a motivation when representing the island.

“It’s amazing to get some monetary prize for winning medal down there,’’ he said. “We don’t do the sport for the money, we do it for our own enjoyment, our own success.

“If I got a bronze medal and didn’t get any money, I’d still be super happy with it, but the fact that the Government is willing to invest in the athletes, support us to achieve these results, it means a lot.”