Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

Australia’s Sports Minister, Senator George Brandis, today began the Australian Government’s one year countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Senator Brandis said one year from today, millions of Australians will watch the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games with high hopes ofAustralian Olympic glory in the days to come.

“Our athletes devote their lives to bringing home Olympic success, which is why we are so proud of our efforts to help get them there, and in providing world class training facilities, like the Australian Institute of Sport.”

“The record of Olympic success for the AIS is clear. At the 2004 Olympic Games, three quarters of all individual medals won by Australians, were won by current or former AIS trained athletes.”

“Of all the medals the 2004 Australian Olympic team brought home, 100 of the 133 hung around the necks of AIS trained athletes.”

“This financial year, the Australia Government, through the Australian Sports Commission will provide $27.7 million for AIS Sport (Scholarship) Programs.

“ In March this year, I announced Australian Government funding of $2.9 million to be shared between sixteen sports preparing for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.”

“This support has helped the sports, and competitors to make the most of training and competition opportunities in the lead up to Beijing.”

“So far the Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, has committed $14 million in direct athlete support through to 2008/9, as part of the Australian Government Sports Training Grant scheme.”

Senator Brandis said the devotion and commitment shown by our Olympic athletes deserves to be supported, and I’m proud that we have, in some small way, played our part in helping bring home Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008.

Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248

Wednesday, 8 August 2007

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