AOC Welcomes Queensland Government Donation to the Australian Olympic Team

16 May 2019

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has welcomed a donation of $600,000 by the Queensland Government to the Australian Olympic Team for the Summer Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Today’s announcement from Queensland Premier the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP and Sports Minister Mick de Brenni MP is a significant boost to the fundraising target of $1.1 million in Queensland.

AOC President John Coates AC says every dollar of the Queensland Government contribution will go directly to supporting our Australian athletes at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

"We are very grateful to the Premier and Minister de Brenni for their support. This generous donation will be used to provide our athletes with the best possible environment to achievement their Olympic goals.

"Team Appeal Funding goes directly to ensuring our athletes have the highest quality medical support, physiotherapy, recovery, welfare support, logistical support and more. It is not used in any other way.

In welcoming the donation, Queensland Olympic Council President and five-time Olympian Natalie Cook OAM OLY says Queenslanders have a proud record at the Olympic Games.

"Queenslanders are overachievers at the Olympics so the Queensland Government can rest safe in the knowledge that it is helping our athletes realise their Olympic dreams."

"Since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, our state has contributed 22% of the Teams at Summer Games and even more impressively, Queenslanders have taken home 39% of the medals won by Australian Olympic Teams."

"We are also demonstrating that Queenslanders are generous in getting behind their athletes, whether that’s government, business or members of the public who just want the Team to do well," Ms Cook said.

The Queensland Premier’s Athlete Farewell Dinner will be held at the Royal International Convention Centre on 16 May 2020, a year from today.

Mr Coates says the AOC will be sending potentially the biggest Olympic team to leave our shores, depending on qualification.

"Every athlete selected will go to Tokyo determined to do their very best. For themselves, their friends and families, their sports and their country. Our job is to support them in every possible way.

"Queenslanders have such a special bond with our Olympic endeavour. We have witnessed the amazing growth of the education initiative "Olympic Unleashed" in Queensland primary schools. This program has become a model for the rest of the country.

"In recent weeks we have seen the growing enthusiasm for Queensland’s potential to mount a bid to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2032. Importantly, the IOC President Thomas Bach has witnessed first-hand what Queensland has to offer," Mr Coates said.

The Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo are 436 days away, with the Opening Ceremony taking place on July 24th, 2020.

Ends

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