$ 115m boost for elite athletes

Extra cash for Games

ANXIOUS Australian athletes have been guaranteed more than $ 100 million in extra funding to prepare for major international events over the next two years, ending a spat between officials over how to carve up public money for cash- strapped sports during the global pandemic.

Under the new agreement, the Australian Institute of Sport ( AIS) will provide more than $ 115 million to Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports for the 2021- 22 financial year.

Most sports will receive close to their existing levels, with swimming once again the biggest beneficiary at almost $ 12 million, but the biggest increase is for Paralympic sports, which will get a $ 3 million raise, up 40 per cent since 2012.

“These are merit- based investments reflecting the achievements of our Paralympic athletes,” Australian Sports Commission ( ASC) chair John Wylie said. “But they are also further recognition of how they inspire our nation.”

The $ 115 million boost comes on top of the funds already committed to the end of the 2020- 21 financial year but is being handed over early after the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games so sports can start planning for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Longer- term funding for the lead- up to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics will be revealed at the end of 2021.

The new funding announcement has been welcomed by Australia’s three peak sporting bodies, which last month called on the federal government to intervene in a row with the AIS over how to distribute the funds.

Australia’s Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games committees had accused the AIS of breaking their promise on an agreement that helped secure an extra $ 50 million of taxpayer’s money, but all have backed the new funding plan.

“We believe this is a significant moment in the evolution of Paralympic sport in Australia,” Paralympics Australia boss Jock O’Callaghan said.

Commonwealth Games Australia president Ben Houston also praised the announcement.

“Our sports now have certainty through to Birmingham and can confidently prepare their athletes for the Games in 2022,” he said.

The top- five funded sports for 2021- 22 are swimming, cycling, athletics, rowing and sailing.