The U$.$S$.$ Olympic Committee $($USOC$)$ pays Olympic athletes $$25,000$ for each gold medal, $$15,000$ for a silver medal and $$10,000$ for a bronze medal. Since $1960,$ the Paralympics for disabled athletes has been a part of the Olympic Games, yet the USOC pays disabled athletes only $20\%$ of what the non$-$disabled athletes are paid and Paralympic athletes are not allowed to participate in opening ceremonies. Paralympic athletes are angry at being treated unfairly.According to Equity Theory, Paralympians are viewing Olympians as:A$.$ mentorsB. valence bearersC. instrumental participantsD. reinforcersE. referents