Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) athletes competing at next month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi were given a special farewell at a morning tea held at the AIS in Canberra on 13 September 2010.

The Australian Commonwealth Games team consists of approximately 400 athletes, more than 90 of whom are AIS scholarship athletes.

Since the AIS was established in 1981, 769 athletes have represented Australia at Commonwealth Games as current or former AIS athletes. Collectively, they have won 522 Commonwealth Games medals: 212 gold, 155 silver and 155 bronze.

AIS Director and Acting CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, Professor Peter Fricker OAM, said the Institute was extremely proud of the contribution its athletes have made to Australian Commonwealth Games teams.

'Our athletes have made a significant contribution to Australia's sporting success over the years and we're confident that will continue at next month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi,' said Professor Fricker. 'It is always a momentous achievement for any athlete to represent their country and we will follow the fortunes of our athletes at the Games with great pride and admiration.'

During his speech, Professor Fricker paid tribute to the ongoing commitment and support of the Australian Government, which he said was central to the Institute's continuing pursuit of excellence and international sporting success.

Professor Fricker also highlighted the partnership between the AIS, national sporting organisations, and state and territory institutes and academies of sport that has helped provide the highest level of services to Institute athletes and allowed them to achieve excellence on the international sporting stage. He also acknowledged the important role of support staff across the whole of the Australian Sports Commission, with a number of AIS coaches and staff also selected to go to Delhi.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association CEO Perry Crosswhite AM, who was present at the athlete farewell, said excitement was well and truly building ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

'With just 20 days to go until the Games' opening ceremony the pinnacle of so many careers is approaching and I'm sure the nation shares the sense of rising excitement and anticipation,' Crosswhite said.