The State Government is backing 56 local athletes in their Olympic and Paralympics pursuits through the South Australian Sports Institute’s (SASI’s) Individual Athlete Program (IAP).
$146,500 in funding has been allocated through the program, providing a 12-month athlete scholarship to individual athletes who are committed to taking their ability to the highest national and international levels.
Along with the financial support that athletes receive, they will also benefit from gaining access to SASI’s performance services, which includes working with high-performance staff in a world-class training environment.
The successful applicants compete across 20 different sports, with all recipients excelling in an Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth Games sport.
Athletes who will be supported through the 2024 round of the IAP include marathon runner Jessica Stenson (Commonwealth Games gold medallist), boxer Callum Peters (Commonwealth Games silver medallist), runner Angus Hincksman (World Para Athletics Championships bronze medallist) and Kiana Elliott (Olympic weightlifter).
The program has produced successful results in previous years, contributing to South Australia’s impressive representation on national teams.
At the Tokyo Games, 11 IAP scholars were selected for the Olympic and Paralympic Australian teams, with two athletes claiming three medals on the highly competitive world stage.
Please click here for the full list of 2024 SASI IAP recipients.
As put by Katrine Hildyard
In an Olympic and Paralympic year, I’m proud that we can support 56 talented and hard-working individuals who are pursuing their sporting dreams.
I congratulate and wish each of them the very best as they take to the world stage.
The IAP will assist in easing the financial pressures associated with high-performance sport and it will also give more athletes access to the new state-of-the-art SASI facility at Mile End, set to open its doors later this year.
Helping more South Australians achieve success on the world stage helps inspire the next generation to participate in sport and enjoy the improved physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing benefits and that sense of belonging that comes with being active.
As put by SASI Director Keren Faulkner
Congratulations to the successful applicants – many who have been part of the program for years and some who are working with us for the first time.
This is a fantastic opportunity for these athletes to access SASI’s facilities and world-class high-performance staff, which will be crucial as athletes prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
I’m confident that these athletes will feel supported and inspired while training within the SASI community.
