- More than 70 Western Australian athletes competing at the Olympics and Paralympic Games in France supported by the Cook Government's $270,000 direct payment scheme
- Funding program extended by $135,000 to support Australian hockey players and artistic swimmers who are Perth-based and heading to Paris from WA
- Each travelling athlete receives a State Government grant of up to $5,000 via the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS)
As the Paris 2024 Olympics are about to get underway, the Western Australian Government has announced extra support for Perth-based athletes competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Previously, the Minister for Sport and Recreation and Premier shared details of a $1.35 million funding package to support WA's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. This included $270,000 in grants, with up to $5,000 per Western Australian athlete travelling to France to compete on the world stage.
Now the program has been extended by $135,000 to support athletes based at Perth's national centres of excellence, who may not be from WA or represent a Western Australian Club.
It is expected the direct payment scheme via the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) will support more than 70 Western Australian athletes, with more than 50 in the Olympic Team and 20 in the Paralympic Team. Additionally, 33 Perth-based Australian hockey players and artistic swimmers will now qualify for up to $5,000 each under the amended eligibility criteria.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has also revised the program's guidelines to allow partial or 'top up' grants to athletes receiving grants from other Australian states or territories. This is to ensure equitable funding.
Overall, the $1.35 million Cook Government support has included:
- $750,000 split equally between the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia for their Team Appeals; and
- $333,000 via the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) for athlete qualification and performance optimisation initiatives involving athletes, coaches and support staff.
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are happening in Paris, France, from tomorrow (26 July) to 11 August, and the Paralympic Games are 28 August to 8 September 2024.
West Aussies are encouraged to watch at designated public sites, or during community and sporting club watch parties. In Perth, you can cheer on our athletes at Yagan Square Amphitheatre with live, free viewing from 7am to midnight on all days of the Games.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"We know these grants of up to $5,000 make a big difference. They go directly to athletes via the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), providing competitors with the freedom to spend the money as they need to give them the best chance to succeed.
"Equity is important and revising the program guidelines ensures we give all our WA-based Aussie athletes a fair go. This includes artistic swimmers and hockey players who are based at the national centres of excellence in Perth but may not usually live here.
"It makes me proud that the Cook Government is supporting all Olympics and Paralympics competitors with links back to WA.
"I am excited about community and sporting group watch parties and live screen action at Yagan Square. Let's all get behind Team Australia over the next few weeks!"
