Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today announced the Australian Institute of Sport will take responsibility for the strategic direction of high performance sport in Australia. 

Speaking at the inaugural Australian Paralympic Committee President’s sport lunch, Senator Arbib said that the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) will work closely with sporting organisations and State and Territory Institutes in the areas of high performance leadership and strategy.

'The AIS has delivered athlete scholarship programs for 30 years and has fostered some of Australia’s greatest athletes,' Senator Arbib said.

'For its next 30 years I see the AIS as leading our high performance strategy and getting the most out of our athletes.

Senator Arbib said the renewed focus on the AIS was not about centralising high performance sport to one location, but creating a network to better utilise state sporting institutions.

'It is well known that many of our high performing athletes have come through our State and Territory based Institutes and Academies,' Senator Arbib said.

'The Crawford Report outlined the importance of an integrated sporting network.  With our renewed focus on high performance sport, we will ensure that resources are no longer duplicated and we can focus on a national sporting partnership and success.'

In addition to discussing Australia’s long term Olympic and Paralympic sporting goals Senator Arbib announced the Green and Gold project, a $2.5 million investment in key Olympic sports in the lead up to London 2012.

'The Green and Gold project will see the Australian Sports Commission reallocate resources to provide targeted investment into Olympic sport where it will make the difference,' Senator Arbib said.

'It will enable our athletes the best possible training and preparation.  It is about our athletes having better access to training, coaching, sport science and resources and facilities.

'The Australian Government’s goal is to increase our chances of medals at the London 2012 Games and ensure Australian athletes remain the envy of the world.'