CANBERRA, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has locked in an investment to keep Olympic and Paralympic athletes on track.
According to a government statement on Wednesday, the funding, 115 million Australian dollars (about 82 million U.S. dollars), is aimed at reinforcing individual Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games campaigns for the 2021-22 financial year.
Of the investment, direct funding for Paralympic sports will increase by more than three million Australian dollars.
The boost for Paralympic competitors, across 13 sporting programs, marks a 40 percent increase in funding via the Australian Sports Commission since 2012.
Jack O'Callaghan, president of Paralympics Australia, said the funding marked a significant moment in the evolution of Paralympic sport in Australia.
"We are so proud and thankful the Federal Government recognises the value and impact of growing investment into Paralympic sport and has entrusted us with greater responsibility to lead and grow our movement even further," he said.
Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the Australian government's record core funding levels to support athletes "builds on the recent investments to support wellbeing and pathways for young aspiring Olympians and Paralympians".
"The funding decisions of the Australian Sports Commission strike a balance in providing certainty and flexibility as athletes look ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympics," he said.
"It also underpins the Sport 2030 objective of backing our best athletes, coaches and sporting bodies to develop a high-performance culture and help ensure Australians can reach their potential on the world stage." Enditem
