Federal Government backs top athletes with new funds

The Australian Govenrnment is to back top athletes in advance of the 2016 Rio Olympics medal hopes with an expansion of the Direct Athlete Support (DAS) program that will be worth $48 million over four years.

Announced in advance of next week's Federal budget by Sports Minister Peter Dutton, the initiative will $1.6 million directed at 650 of Australia`s best athletes 

After Australia's worst summer Olympics medal tally in 20 years at London 2012, the money will back the nation's top medal prospects in their preparations for Rio.

In a statement, Minister Dutton explained that the funding would come from a re-design of the DAS program with the means-tested scheme meaning that the top medal prospects could be in line for up to a 30% rise in funding.

Minister Dutton stated "more direct funding through the Australian Institute of Sport for potential Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games medallists is an important part of Australia's plan to remain on the podium of world sport."

The statement added that redirecting existing funds from administration to athletes would complement the broader reform agenda driven by the Australian Sports Commission across high performance sport.

The Minister added that targeted eligibility criteria would ensure funds reached those athletes most likely to deliver results.

This scheme will also include a new category for emerging talents with some 200 additional athletes across the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines to be eligible for direct grants.

Minister Dutton said DAS was a means-tested payment to most deserving athletes to help them train, recover and compete for Australia, concluding "the vast majority of these athletes do not earn a significant income from representing their country and must balance full time training commitments with work or study."

The announcement is Minister Dutton's first significant sports policy move since taking office last September.

Australia has set itself a target of returning to the top five at the next two summer Olympics, while producing at least 20 world champions annually.

Click here for more information on the Direct Athlete Support program.

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