Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes are lining up to use the Australian Institute of Sport’s European Training Centre (ETC) as a base to launch their bids for gold in London, Minister for Sport Mark Arbib said today.

With less than a year until the London Games, Australia’s sporting teams are using the centre in Varese, Italy as a “home away from home” to give them a competitive edge.

'We expect in the year before the London Games the ETC will see almost 10,000 bed nights filled by Australian athletes,' Senator Arbib said.

'The AIS ETC 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.

'The centre provides world-class sporting facilities and services such as sports science and sports medicine, strength and conditioning training and athlete career and education support, right in the hub of international competition.'

Australia’s 73-member national rowing team is currently using ETC as a base to prepare for the 2011 World Championships in Slovenia, which will act as a London 2012 qualifier.

Sports which have used the centre since it opened in March include cycling, athletics, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, skiing, canoeing, waterpolo, paracycling, triathlon and sailing.

The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, worked closely with, national sporting organisations, the Australian Olympic Committee, the Australian Paralympic Committee and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association to establish the facility.

'Now we will begin to see the benefits of this investment, hopefully in the form of Olympic, Paralympic and world championship gold,' Senator Arbib said.

'The Australian Government has committed $12.5 million for the ongoing operation of the ETC in the lead up to the London Olympics and Paralympics and beyond.'

Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates AC said the AIS ETC was providing an invaluable stepping stone to the London Olympics.

'The ETC is one of the extra things that will make the little difference for our athletes between fourth and third and second and first. It is a professional approach.

'The AIS ETC is an official Olympic Training Centre and provides facilities to match that status.'

Australia’s most successful Olympian, Ian Thorpe, is eagerly taking advantage of the European home training base.

'The important thing for me is being able to access the Australian standard of services, which would otherwise be unavailable,' Thorpe said.

The Australian Government has also targeted Olympic and Paralympic glory through the Green and Gold Project.

Senator Arbib said the $3.85 million injection into Australia’s top medal-winning Olympic and Paralympic sports and athletes is designed to give Australia’s best athletes extra training and preparation support.

'The Green and Gold project, combined with the full range of support offered by the AIS ETC, is providing Australian sports with targeted investment into their Olympic and Paralympic programs – we want that top five result in London.'