SYDNEY, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government on Wednesday announced a record funding package for sports and athletes ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Speaking in Brisbane, Australia's Sports Minister Anika Wells said the government will provide 513 million Australian dollars (362.5 million U.S. dollars) in funding over the next two years for high-performance sports and athletes, up from 489 million Australian dollars allocated in the previous two-year cycle.
She said the record investment would directly help Australian athletes reach the highest levels on the global stage.
"It means certainty and stability as we all push towards LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032," she said.
The funding package includes 42.8 million Australian dollars to help athletes with daily living and training expenses, as well as funding for 68 sports programs.
Wells said the package features a historic increase for winter sports, with the governing bodies of ice racing, curling and biathlon all receiving high-performance funding for the first time. ■