MUMBAI: CM Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced a Rs 1 crore reward for Swapnil Kusale who etched his name in the annals of Indian sports history on Thursday, becoming the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event. Kusale secured the bronze medal with a total score of 451.4 in the men’s final. CM Shinde and Maharashtra Olympic Association President and DCM Ajit Pawar spoke to Olympian Swapnil and his coaches Deepali Deshpande and Vishwajit Shinde, who are in Paris.
“Well done Swapnil… Your bronze medal has put a smile on Maharashtra’s face. Your performance has made Maharashtra proud. You are our pride, Swapnil will be given a prize of Rs 2 crore for this performance,” CM Shinde said.
“Swapnil missed the silver medal by just 0.1 points. Still, his bronze medal has put a smile on Maharashtra’s face. Maharashtra has received a medal for individual achievement after 72 years. Swapnil will be given a prize of Rs.1 crore for this performance. He and his coach, parents will also be duly felicitated. Apart from this, Swapnil will be provided with all the necessary facilities for further preparation in shooting. Swapneel has created history with his performance. The hard work of the Kusale family, his mentors, coaches etc. has been important for this success,” CM Shinde said.
Swapnil Kusale, born on August 6, 1995, in Pune, made his Olympic debut at Paris 2024.