Federal Government announces $20 million Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund

Aiming to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes achieve qualification for the 2024 Paris Games next year, Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells has today announced a $20 million fund to assist athletes and their sports overcome significant cost increases associated with their travel and accommodation to qualifying events overseas.

Speaking in Adelaide this morning, Minister Wells advised that with just over 12 months until the Games, the Fund was a timely investment, commenting “our Olympic and Paralympic sports have been telling us that getting their athletes to key preparation and qualification events has been a challenge and we’ve listened.

“Through the Australian Sports Commission, we’re proud to be able to invest further in our athletes that inspire millions of Australians when they represent us on the world stage.”

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund will be delivered in two streams, with Stream One providing a direct one-off grant payment to 32 eligible sports through a total investment pool of $15.223 million.

Explaining that the Fund would enable sports to ensure the crucial final 12 months before the Games count, Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive, Kieren Perkins stated “our athletes make extraordinary sacrifices to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally to proudly represent Australia every four years on the world’s biggest sporting stage, the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Sport hasn’t been immune from the rising cost of living pressures we are all facing. I would like to thank the Australian Government and Minister Wells for acknowledging this and allowing the Australian Sports Commission to allocate extra funds to our Olympic and Paralympic sports.

“The majority of Australians believe our Olympians and Paralympians are the best role models, especially for kids, and a source of inspiration. I am proud to work with the Government to ensure our athletes have the best platform to achieve their best in Paris.”

Administered by the Australian Sports Commission, Stream Two of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund will take the form of a competitive grant program, where eligible high performance sports will be able to apply for additional funding to enhance their existing and/or new priority campaigns for Paris 2024.

The total investment pool for Stream Two is $4.833 million with successful applicants to be announced in late August.

Funding welcomed
Australian Olympic Committee President, Ian Chesterman said the news will be a huge relief for athletes and their sports who have to travel considerable distances to events around the world to qualify for the Games amid escalating costs.

Chesterman noted “we are enormously grateful for the Federal Government’s support of our sports and athletes as they look seek to qualify for Paris.

Swimming Australia has also released a statement welcoming  the additional investment, commenting “this additional investment will help us to deliver on our plans for the 2024 Paris Games, which have been impacted by increasing costs associated with access to essential international competition.”

Paris 2024 Enhancement Grant Program - Stream One recipients
Archery Australia
Artistic Swimming Australia
Athletics Australia
AusCycling
Australian Sailing
Australian Taekwondo
Australian Weightlifting Federation
Badminton Australia
Basketball Australia
Boccia Australia
Combat Institute of Australia
Diving Australia
Equestrian Australia
Football Australia
Golf Australia
Gymnastics Australia
Hockey Australia
Judo Australia
Modern Pentathlon Australia
Paddle Australia
Paralympics Australia
Rowing Australia
Rugby Australia
Shooting Australia
Skate Australia
Sport Climbing Australia
Surfing Australia
Swimming Australia
Table Tennis Australia
Triathlon Australia
Volleyball Australia
Water Polo Australia

Lower image shows (from left): Olympic diver Anabelle Smith, Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Kieren Perkins, Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells and Paralympian Madison De Rozario gathered at the South Australian Sports Institute.