The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) along with Paralympics Australia (PA) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) have welcomed the extension of an Australian Government partnership with the AOC to support Pacific athletes qualify for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028 and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, being major milestones on the pathway to Brisbane 2032.
As a sports diplomacy program, the extension will continue the support to Pacific athletes in high performance training, elite competition and travel, capitalising on the momentum of Australia’s association with high-profile Pacific sports achievements at the 2024 Paris Games.
The program will further capture regional attention and deliver additional benefits to PacificAus Sports’ purpose of increasing Australia’s standing in the region.
In welcoming the extension of the Agreement AOC CEO Matt Carroll said the extension recognised feedback that longer time frames are required to ensure athletes are able to plan training, access quality performance services and participate in scheduled competition events required to qualify for LA 28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“Just as Brisbane 2032 is a home Games for Australians, it’s just as much a home Games for our Pacific athletes, and this extension of support will help Pacific athletes qualify for the major milestone events in the lead up to 2032,” Mr Carroll said.
“The AOC will be working with PA and CGA to develop a comprehensive program of support in collaboration with the Pacific sports, their national Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games associations, the Oceania National Olympic Committee, Oceania Paralympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“The PacificAusSports program reflects the deep and long-standing relationships between Australia and Pacific nations and aims to support and develop both established and emerging athletes, as well as officials, increasing Australia’s standing in the region,” he said.
The commitment builds on the program’s successful investment ahead of the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Quotes attributable to AOC President Ian Chesterman AM:
“Sport inspires athletes across the world to create connections, to has the power to underpin strong positive dialogue between nations,” Mr Chesterman said.
“The AOC in partnership with Paralympics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia is proud to lead this important initiative of the Australian Government, and to assist our Oceania friends with meaningful and practical support,” he said.
Quotes attributable to Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh AM CSC:
“The Australian Paralympic movement has long valued the many relationships and great unity we have with our neighbours across Oceania. The respect we share for our many different cultures and traditions in and around sport makes us all stronger,” Ms Creagh said.
“Paralympics Australia welcomes the announcement of funding to support Paralympians and aspiring Para-athletes throughout the Pacific. We look forward to collaborating with the AOC, CGA, the Oceania Paralympic Committee and its members to create impactful opportunities in the lead up to a home Paralympic Games for the region in 2032,” she said.
Quotes attributable to Commonwealth Games Australia President, Ben Houston:
“The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of the performance pathway for not only Australia’s athletes but those across the Oceania region,” Mr Houston said.
“This funding will significantly contribute to their preparations, ensuring they can take to the field of play at their best.
“The longstanding commitment to sports funding across the Pacific by the Australian Government should be celebrated, and I welcome their continued investment and support of both able-bodied and para-athletes,” he said.
