AIS hosting final preparations in countdown to the London Games
With 100 days to go until the London Olympics, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is a hive of activity as Australian teams and athletes fine-tune their preparations for the big event starting on 27 July.
Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO, Simon Hollingsworth said that Olympic sports have been utilising the facilities and expertise at the AIS to ensure the best possible preparation for London.
‘In recent weeks we have had a number of team and individual sports come to the AIS for camps and practice matches looking to gain a competitive edge at the Games,’ Mr Hollingsworth said.
‘Our role is to provide the best possible support and advice to our athletes and teams so they can maximise their performance in London.’
Sports that have had training camps recently include basketball, hockey, sailing, gymnastics, swimming, water polo and boxing. This will continue up until July as athletes and teams progressively head over to Europe.
The AIS has a replica facility on a smaller scale in Varese, Italy that is also experiencing a dramatic increase in activity leading up to the Games.
‘The AIS European Training Centre replicates the Australian Institute of Sport's elite high performance facilities in Europe, providing a home for our best athletes while they train and compete in Europe.
It provides world-class sporting facilities and services such as sports science and sports medicine, strength and conditioning training and athlete career and education support,’ Mr Hollingsworth said.
Sports which have used the centre since it opened in March include; cycling, rowing, athletics, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, skiing, canoeing, water polo, paracycling, triathlon and sailing.
The Australian Government has committed $12.5 million for the ongoing operation of the AIS ETC in the lead up to the London Olympics and Paralympics and beyond.
The Australian Government has also targeted Olympic and Paralympic glory through the Green and Gold Project.
The $4.49 million injection into Australia’s top medal-winning Olympic and Paralympic sports and athletes is designed to give Australia’s best athletes additional training and preparation support.
In 2011-12 over $100 million will be provided directly to national sporting organisations and athletes for sports on the Olympic and Paralympic program.
Jamie Dwyer (Kookaburras captain) and Carrie Graf (Opals coach) spoke to us about their preparations when they were at the AIS recently.
