State Government gives $266,000 to kickstart donations to WA Olympic Team
Donations to Olympic appeal open
With one year to go, Premier Colin Barnett and Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies have kicked off the Western Australian Olympic Games Fundraising Team Appeal for Rio de Janeiro 2016.
The State Government has donated $266,000 to the WA Olympic Council, which is aiming to raise more than $800,000.
"We're proud of our world-class sports system in Western Australia and we're very proud of our history when it comes to the Olympic Games," the Premier said.
"It takes a whole community to get athletes to the Olympics and we look forward to cheering on our sports stars next year at the Rio Games."
Western Australia typically has about 50 representatives on an Olympic team, which comprises about 500 athletes. Those in contention include WA javelin thrower Kim Mickle, pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and up to five other athletes who play for the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras.
Ms Davies said the State Government provided further support for local aspiring Olympians by funding the recently opened $33.73 million Western Australian Institute of Sport High Performance Service Centre. WAIS is home to the national training programs for pole vault and javelin.
"We've also invested in the WA Athletics Stadium and the WA Rugby Centre which WA athletes will be using for training, especially as rugby makes its debut at the games next year," she said.
"All sports stars of tomorrow have to start somewhere and the State Government, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, nurtures athletes with numerous grants and programs from the grassroots level right through to the elite.
"I look forward to celebrating the achievements of our athletes next year."
Fact File
For more information, visit http://www.olympics.com.au
WAIS has produced 18 Olympic gold medallists, 23 Paralympic gold medallists and 39 world champions
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Sport and Recreation Minister's office - 6552 5500
