Triathlon Australia welcomes paratriathlon boost

Paratriathlon was one of seven Paralympic sports to receive an increase in funding, alongside archery, men’s wheelchair basketball, boccia, wheelchair rugby, shooting and canoeing.

The paratriathlon program will receive $182,868 in additional funding which will be utilised to refine performance strategy ahead of the Tokyo Games and Paris 2024.

In addition to the increase in paratriathlon funding, Triathlon Australia received a further $70,000 to broaden capability in Athlete Engagement and Wellbeing, bringing the additional total investment in the sport to over $250,000.

Triathlon Australia National Performance Director, Justin Drew, welcomes the increase in funding.

“We’re very thankful to Australian Institute of Sport, Federal Minister for Sport Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, and Paralympics Australia for their support of triathlon through this funding.”

“This funding boost will have a significant impact on the preparation of our key athletes ahead of the Tokyo Games, and as we build towards Paris 2024.”

Triathlon Australia Paratriathlon Lead, Kyle Burns said that the funding provides the program with a great deal of confidence ahead of Tokyo.

“This funding is a significant boost to the performance capability of paratriathlon and Paralympic sport in general,” Burns said.

“Particularly during these challenging times, this prompt increase in funding provides us with significant confidence in the direction we are headed as a program.”

The funding boost falls in line with the AIS investment model, which focuses on funding for international podium results and to prioritise delivering sustainable success at multi-sport pinnacle events, the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.

The announcement follows Federal Government’s recent confirmation of a $50.6 million investment over two years towards high performance sport.