The final countdown is on to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games for Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) athletes, with final preparations taking place at Melbourne's high-performance sport institute before they set off for France.
Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins today joined VIS Chief Executive Officer Anne-Marie Harrison to wish a host of local Olympians and Paralympians well as they complete their training at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park.
With the 2024 Paris Olympics under a month away and the 2024 Paris Paralympics beginning a month after that, these final training sessions could prove crucial for the more than 85 VIS athletes who will represent Victoria and Australia on the world stage.
Backed by the Allan Labor Government, the VIS supports and develops Victorian athletes with the resources, services and facilities they need to pursue and achieve excellence in sport at the highest level.
That's why we've invested an additional $32.7 million over the next four years in the VIS through the Victorian Budget 2024/25 - boosting the Labor Government's total investment in the VIS to more than $58 million over the next four years to recognise the vital role the institute plays in nurturing the state's top athletes.
This investment will support the expansion of VIS programs and services so that more of our sporting stars choose to stay in Victoria when they train for gold medal moments.
Catherine Skinner will be looking to follow up here incredible gold medal winning performance in the trap shooting at the Rio De Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games and heptathlete Celeste Mucci will run for glory in the hurdles.
Both making their Olympic debuts in Paris, Para athlete Reece Langdon and archer Laura Paeglis will represent their state and country on the world stage - with Reece holding the Australian record for the T38 1500 metre.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be held between Friday, 26 July - Sunday, 11 August 2024 and the Paralympic Games will be held between Wednesday, 28 August - Sunday, 8 September 2024.
As stated by Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins
"We can't wait to cheer on our very best Victorian athletes as they represent state and country on the world stage in Paris."
"The Victorian Institute of Sport helps develop and support our best high-performance athletes across all kinds of sports. That's why we're so proud to boost our vital funding, helping the Institute nurture even more athletes."
As stated by Victorian Institute of Sport CEO Anne Marie Harrison
"The same support is also enabling the Victorian Institute of Sport to nurture and develop the next generation of high-performance athletes aiming for Olympic, Paralympic and world championship glory. I know they will all perform with distinction in Paris and that we will welcome them home with pride."
