The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
AUSTRALIAN PARALYMPIC TEAM READY FOR ATHENS
The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced the Australian Paralympic team bound for Athens.
'Our Paralympic athletes are among the best in the world and I am confident this team of about 160 athletes and 90 officials will build on the success achieved in Sydney in 2000,' Senator Kemp said.
'The Australian Government is a proud supporter of our Paralympic athletes and has provided $600,000 to the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) to help meet the costs of sending the team to Athens.'
This funding is in addition to ongoing support for programs for elite athletes with disabilities provided by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). In 2003-04 funding of $3.75 million was allocated to the APC for athlete preparation and the ASC also provided an extra $100,000 directly to athletes to assist with daily living expenses while they train in the lead up to Athens.
The team includes athletes such as Louise Savauge. Louise will be competing in her fourth straight Paralympic Games where she will attempt to win an unprecedented tenth gold medal. Her spirit of determination is reflected in the rest of the team.
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson and Senator Kemp also announced today that the Australian Government will provide $7.8 million for a new International Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Management.
'This new Centre of Excellence will build on existing capacity to support sporting activities at all levels-professional and amateur, and help to build healthier and more active communities,' Senator Kemp said
The Centre will cover sports science and management and facilitate the exchange of sports science and management professionals. It will also draw on outstanding teachers, coaches and instructors from Australia and overseas.
'Australia has a reputation for sporting excellence and we are leaders in sports science and management techniques,' Senator Kemp said.
'This new Centre will help to further develop our skills in this area, providing new opportunities for our sports scientists and managers to keep abreast of new developments in the sports sector.
'This will be a benefit to all sports and athletes, including our Paralympians. I wish our Paralympic team all the best for Athens.'
SYDNEY
5 July 2004
Media contact: Richard Wise, 02 6277 7350 or 0438 204 554