Skate Australia is pleased to be a beneficiary of the Australian Government’s Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund that was announced today.
The funding is designed to significantly enhance the medal potential and improve the performance of our Australian athletes in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Games.
Arriving on the eve of the Paris 2024 One Year To Go milestone, the additional funding will add to the support of Skate Australia’s skateboarders in their preparation and throughout their internationally held qualifying competitions.
Skate Australia has 15 Park and 9 Street athletes competing on the Paris Qualification circuit across Women’s and Men’s Park and Street disciplines. Australia has 4 skaters currently ranked in the top 8 in the world.
Skate Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Caitlin Honey said the funding announcement is welcomed support to the sport’s athletes.
“The funding will provide some relief to our Skateboarders working towards Paris 2024 in a qualification year that requires skaters and their families to invest tens of thousands of dollars personally,” Dr Honey said.
“Helping to ease the financial pressure of preparing for the Games is always welcomed. Our athletes have several qualifying events, including the important Urban Sports Series next year, that will be held internationally over the next 12 months.
“We would like to thank the Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, and the Australian Institute of Sport in providing this much needed funding to assist with our Paris preparations,” she said.
Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells said the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund was a timely investment in our athletes.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the Fund would enable sports to ensure the crucial final 12 months before the Games count.
“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,” Mr Perkins said.
“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.”
AOC President Ian Chesterman said the news is 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.
“We are enormously grateful for the Federal Government’s support of our sports and athletes as they seek to qualify for Paris,” he said.
“Every Australian athlete who wants to represent our country in Paris has to travel to qualify. Travel costs are through the roof. So, this additional support from the Federal Government will help athletes pursue their dream of representing us all at the 2024 Olympics.
“We think an Australia with more Olympians is a better Australia. We know everyone on the team will inspire their clubs, their communities and our country. We now expect Australia again will have one of the five biggest teams next year.
“This new funding is vital. Paris is the first stop on the road to Brisbane and if we want home Games success that has to start now,” Mr Chesterman said.