Paddle Australia has welcomed the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) announcement of an uplift in high-performance funding for the next Olympic and Paralympic cycle. 

It has been announced by the ASC that 95 per cent of Olympic and Paralympic summer sports will receive an increase in funding with an average investment rise of 64 per cent rise, compared to the period leading to Paris 2024. 

The announcement means that Paddle Australia’s high-performance programme will have strong funding support to take its strategy through to LA28. 

“This uplift in funding is recognition of the work that’s been done over the last couple of cycles, and more recently in the Paris cycle where our vision to have a united high-performance programme striving for excellence as “one team” really started to come to life,” said Kim Crane, Chief Executive of Paddle Australia. 

“We were on the front foot and started future proofing our high-performance programme post the Tokyo Games.  

“Collectively we championed transformational change, with strategic design, all with an eye on two step horizons through until Brisbane 2032.” 

This year saw Australia enjoy plenty of success at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Australia achieved three golds in Canoe Slalom thanks to two titles for Jessica Fox and a kayak cross crown for Noemie Fox. 

Jean van der Westhuyzen won both of Australia’s Canoe Sprint medals, earning bronze with Thomas Green and silver alongside Riley Fitzsimmons, Jackson Collins and Noah Havard. 

Jessica Fox canoe slalom Paris 2024 Olympics gold 3

Australia picked won the full set of medals at the Paralympics with gold for Curtis McGrath, silver for Dylan Littlehales and bronze for Susan Seipel. 

“Our performances at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games showed our athletes are the world’s best paddlers and people, working together with staff aligned to a strong strategy and they were able to deliver on the world stage,” added Crane. 

“There is confidence in the operating framework that we have built, and the people we’ve got in place to be able to deliver it – Board, staff, coaches and most importantly at the heart of it all, our remarkable athletes. 

“We’re proud to receive an increase in funding for both our Olympic and Paralympic programmes and we’re sincerely grateful to the Federal Government’s Australian Sports Commission for their support, as it gives us confidence to seamlessly transition to the next cycle.  

“In the spirit of continuous improvement and excellence it’s time for us to find another level of growth for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” 

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