The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Mark Peters has praised the outstanding success of Australia’s Olympic team at the Beijing Games, notably the significant contribution of the Australian Institute of Sport athletes to the medal tally. 

The AIS contributed greatly to the Australian Olympic medal tally of 14 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze medals, placing sixth overall on the medal table.

Significantly, about 61 per cent of the 435-strong Australian Olympic team were current and former AIS athletes. These athletes achieved 102 Olympic medals at the Beijing Olympic Games, which is an outstanding achievement.

Among the memorable highlights and world-beating performances by current AIS athletes include gold-medal winners Ken Wallace (K1 1000m, kayaking); Linda MacKenzie, Felicity Galvez and Angie Bainbridge (4x200m, swimming) and Tarnee White (4x100m medley, swimming); Tessa Parkinson and Elise Rechichi (women’s 470 class, sailing) and Malcolm Page and Nathan Wilmot (men’s 470 class, sailing).

Notable silver medal performances by current and former AIS athletes include Jared Tallent becoming the first Australian to win a silver medal in the 50km walk (and a bronze in the 20km walk), Melissa Wu and Briony Cole in the women’s 10 metre synchronised diving, Brenton Rickard in the men’s swimming 200m breaststroke and 4x100m medley relay, and members of the Australian Women’s Opals basketball team.

 ‘The great performance of AIS athletes in Beijing demonstrates the strength and effectiveness of the nationally integrated elite sports system in the training and development of Australian athletes for Olympic medal success,’ Mr Peters said. 

‘The Australian Sports Commission (ASC), on behalf of the Australian Government, provides funding and support for the training and development of Olympians and Paralympians across many levels of the Australian sporting system.

‘The ASC works through a nationally integrated approach in partnership with national sporting organisations, and state and territory institutes and academies of sport to fund and support the delivery of high performance programs for Olympic sports.

Australia’s Olympic medal performances were supported by quality AIS coaches and sports scientists in sports such as swimming, rowing, sailing, and track and field. Australia’s Olympic athletes all benefited from coaching expertise developed and enhanced by the AIS. Behind the scenes, AIS staff expertise contributed to Australia’s Olympic success in roles as nutritionists, physiotherapists, massage therapists, physiologists and a range of other key support services.

The ASC provided $18.1 million in funding and support to the AIS in 2007-08, and $53.4 million in 2007-08 to national sporting organisation high performance programs.

Furthermore, the ASC provided direct funding totalling $4.3 million to more than 400 athletes in 2007-08 to assist in their preparation for Olympic sporting success.

This represents a total Australian Government investment of $75.8 million in 2007-08 for the training and support of Olympians and Paralympians. The ASC is committed to providing all Australians with the best opportunity possible to participate in sport.