The Albanese Government is investing more than $2 million dollars to drive Australia's Winter Paralympians to gold in Italy early next year.
The $2.058m in funding will enable an athlete-focused approach to the delivery of the Australian Team for next year's Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
It will ensure the team's high-performance, operational, medical, logistical and communications needs are met so athletes perform at their best when it matters most.
The investment will support Paralympics Australia to plan, secure and deliver the following core functions for Milano Cortina 2026, including sports medicine services such as physiotherapy, nutrition and psychology, comprehensive travel arrangements for athletes and their equipment, the procurement of strategically located village and out-of-village accommodation and other extensive operational and logistical requirements.
Australia is aiming to take one of its largest ever Australian Teams to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games next March and will compete in four sports for the first time: Para-alpine skiing, Para-snowboard, Para-cross country, and Para-biathlon.
The Winter Paralympic Games begin on 6 March.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
"This $2.058m investment reflects the Albanese Government's deep belief in the power and potential of the Australian Paralympic Movement.
"Milano Cortina 2026 is a critical opportunity to build on Australia's proud Paralympic legacy and inspire a new generation of Winter Paralympians.
"We aren't interested in only helping athletes get to the Games, we want them to thrive while there.
"This Milano Cortina funding ensures our athletes have the support they need to prepare and perform in Italy.
"In our first term, the Albanese Government invested $55m into Paralympic high performance - the largest commitment a government has ever made."
Quotes attributable to Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Cameron Murray:
"On behalf of Paralympics Australia and our Winter athletes, I thank Minister Wells and the Albanese Government for once again stepping up for our Movement.
"This funding is vital to deliver the complex and wide-ranging support needed for a world-class Winter Games campaign. From outfitting and medical services to athlete wellbeing, village operations and critical logistics - every aspect of our team's preparation and performance has been considered.
"We're grateful for Minister Wells' leadership and for the Albanese Government's sustained and meaningful investment in Para-sport."
