This winter, Australian athletes will travel to Paris to compete in the Olympic Games (July) and Paralympic Games (August). The teams have yet to be selected – but their journey to France has been made easier thanks to a substantial donation from the ACT Government.
The ACT Government will provide $300,000: $100,000 each to the Olympic and Paralympic teams, and a further $100,000 for direct financial assistance and in-kind training assistance through the ACT Academy of Sport. The ACT Government has equally funded both the Olympic and Paralympic Teams since 2016.
“The ACT has a proud history of supporting Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr and sports minister Yvette Berry said.
“Canberra is the sporting capital, and home to élite athletes training at both the Australian Institute of Sport and ACT Academy of Sport. Despite being the smallest jurisdiction in Australia, ACT athletes punch above our weight compared with other states and territories at each Olympics and Paralympics.
“The ACT Government’s continuing funding goes a long way to support our local athletes in reaching their potential and to achieve their Olympic and Paralympic aspirations.”
Alison Creagh, president of Paralympics Australia, said she was “really appreciative” for the funding.
“Paralympic sport is a bit different to Olympic sport,” Ms Creagh said. “We have a number of travel costs and support costs that are different from our Olympic colleagues.
“We have a large staff that need to provide various facilities, everything through recovery, nutrition, physiotherapy, sport science – everything that will gear the athletes and get them ready to give the best that they can. We want to support our athletes in every possible way so they can give their best performances. We want to make you proud at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.”
Angie Ballard, Canberra-born five-time Paralympian and co-captain of the Paris 2024 Australian Paralympic Team, said: “A racing chair costs $10 to 15 grand; I have to go to Switzerland in the middle of the year, which will be at least $6,000. It’s just part of what we have to do to qualify and compete with the world.”
“ACT has been very supportive of able-bodied athletes and Para-athletes, and I would say the culture and community here expresses that a lot,” Ms Ballard said. “It’s good leadership but something we have to keep reminding people about.”
Chad Perris, a vision-impaired Para-athlete, said: “It’s incredibly important and means a lot to Para-athletes and Olympic athletes as well. It just makes sense. I’m really proud of the ACT for the leadership it’s shown.”
Both Ms Ballard and Mr Peris believe other states should follow the ACT’s example, as NSW and Queensland do. Ms Ballard said equal funding had been “a long time coming”, and it was positive that there was a national conversation.
Matt Carroll, CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee, thanked the ACT Government for the donation and for the ACT Academy of Sport’s “extraordinary work” developing high-performance athletes.
“This donation of $100,000 will go directly to funding the Australian Olympic Team’s campaign in Paris,” Mr Carroll said. “This contribution is very much appreciated.
“We aim to give every athlete their best opportunity on their best day. To do that requires a high-performance environment in the Olympic Village and subsites with the best possible medical care, recovery spaces, gymnasium, physiotherapy and other essential services.”
Mr Carroll also thanked Paul Powderly, chair of the ACT Olympic Team Appeal Committee, for his “energy in raising these critical funds for our Team”.
The Australian Olympic and Paralympic Team Appeal seeks to raise $3.5 million for both Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
