Australia’s budding Winter Olympians received a timely boost today with the Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells, announcing an extra $1.1million for the winter sports sector.
The extra funding will help winter athletes support their preparations for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The announcement was made at the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre in Brisbane’s Sleeman Sports Complex today. Winter Olympian and current world number one female aerial skier, Danielle Scott, and Winter Olympic gold medalist mogul skier were there for the announcement, as was silver Winter Olympic medalist, Matt Graham.
The funding boost for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia ($770,000) and Snow Australia ($331,100) follows the Australian Government’s recent $20 million investment via the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund.
Minister Wells said the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) was committed to ensuring sustainable success at Paris, Milano Cortina and beyond.
“We are coming off the back of our best ever Winter Olympics medal haul in Beijing and I know our athletes are looking to better that in 2026,” said Minister Wells.
“While all our athletes make enormous sacrifices to train and compete at an elite level, winter sport athletes have the added hurdle of limited natural conditions.
“This funding will ensure our Winter Olympians and Paralympians receive the support they need to inspire the next generation to be involved in winter sports.”
The Australian Government invested in the $6.5 million Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre, which allows athletes to train in their home country all year round.
“This facility speaks to the collaboration and innovation in Australian sport that has me so excited about the opportunities ahead of us as part of the Green and Gold decade,” Minister Wells said.
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled from 6-22 February, 2026 with the Paralympics taking place from 6-15 March, 2026.
