Athletes to share in extra $ 100m

AUSTRALIAN athletes have been guaranteed more than $ 100m 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 pandemic.

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

Most sports will receive close to their existing levels.

Swimming is once again the biggest beneficiary at almost $ 12m but the largest increase is for Paralympic sports, which will get a $ 3m raise — up 40 per cent since 2012.

“These are merit- based investments reflecting the a c h i e v e men t s of our Paralympic athl e t e s , ” A u s t r a l i a n Sports Commission chair

John Wylie, pictured, said.

“But they are also further recognition of how they inspire our nation.”

The $ 115m boost comes on top of the funds committed to the end of the 2020- 21 financial year, but it 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.

AIS chief executive Peter Conde said: “We’re in a unique situation where this current Games cycle has extended to five years, so we will only have three years between Tokyo and Paris.”