- More than 70 Western
Australian athletes competing at the Olympics and Paralympic Games in France
supported by the Cook Government's $270,000 direct payment scheme
- Funding program extended
by $135,000 to support Australian hockey players and artistic swimmers who are
Perth-based and heading to Paris from WA
- Each
travelling athlete receives a State Government grant of up to $5,000 via the
Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS)
As the Paris 2024
Olympics are about to get underway, the Western Australian Government has
announced extra support for Perth-based athletes competing in the Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
Previously, the Minister
for Sport and Recreation and Premier shared details of a $1.35 million funding
package to support WA's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. This included $270,000
in grants, with up to $5,000 per Western Australian athlete travelling to
France to compete on the world stage.
Now the program has been
extended by $135,000 to support athletes based at Perth's national centres of
excellence, who may not be from WA or represent a Western Australian Club.
It is expected the direct
payment scheme via the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) will
support more than 70 Western Australian athletes, with more than 50 in the
Olympic Team and 20 in the Paralympic Team. Additionally, 33 Perth-based
Australian hockey players and artistic swimmers will now qualify for up to
$5,000 each under the amended eligibility criteria.
The
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has also revised
the program's guidelines to allow partial or 'top up' grants to athletes
receiving grants from other Australian states or territories. This is to ensure
equitable funding.
Overall, the $1.35 million
Cook Government support has included:
- $750,000 split equally between the Australian Olympic Committee and
Paralympics Australia for their Team Appeals; and
- $333,000 via the Western Australian Institute of
Sport (WAIS) for athlete qualification and performance optimisation initiatives
involving athletes, coaches and support staff.
The 2024 Summer Olympic
Games are happening in Paris, France, from tomorrow (26 July) to 11 August, and
the Paralympic Games are 28 August to 8 September 2024.
West Aussies are encouraged to watch at designated public
sites, or during community and sporting club watch parties. In Perth, you can
cheer on our athletes at Yagan Square Amphitheatre with live, free viewing from
7am to midnight on all days of the Games.
Comments attributed to
Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"We know these grants of up to
$5,000 make a big difference. They go directly to athletes via the Western
Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), providing competitors with the freedom to
spend the money as they need to give them the best chance to succeed.
"Equity is important and revising
the program guidelines ensures we give all our WA-based Aussie athletes a fair
go. This includes artistic swimmers and hockey players who are based at the
national centres of excellence in Perth but may not usually live here.
"It makes me proud that the Cook
Government is supporting all Olympics and Paralympics competitors with links
back to WA.
"I am excited about community and
sporting group watch parties and live screen action at Yagan Square. Let's all
get behind Team Australia over the next few weeks!"
