The AOC held a second ‘think tank” with head coaches this week to plan for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

They heard details of the AOC’s $30 million budget to prepare and send the team to the Games.

Those attending included Alan Thompson (Swimming), Daniel Trenton (Taekwondo), David Neesham (Water Polo- Men), Greg McFadden (Water Polo- Women), Wayne Roycroft (Equestrian), Graham Arnold (Football), Jan Stirling (Women’s Basketball) and Fabian Barlow (Softball).

The Sydney meeting was chaired by AOC President John Coates who said Australia would send a full team of approximately 480 athletes to Beijing competing in all 28 sports on the program subject to qualification.

The coaches were urged to take full advantage of the AOC’s Co-operation agreement with the Chinese Olympic Committee and compete in Beijing in different events throughout 2006 and 2007.

“We want our athletes to be familiar with the landscape and the culture in the lead up to 2008” Coates said. “It is important that our sports, particularly the coaches, are all part of the planning process”.

AOC Secretary-General Craig Phillips and AOC General Manager of Sport Fiona de Jong shared information gathered on their recent trip to Beijing. They covered everything from competition venues, village accommodation for athletes, roads and transport, even weather conditions.

He outlined the AOC’s funding for Beijing which included $17.8 million to prepare the team and another $11.5 million just to send the team to the Games.

Of the $17.8 million:

• $8.2 million will go towards the cost of international competition in the Games’ lead up.
• $4.6 million of AOC funding has been allocated for medallists and their coaches. 
• $5.0 million for the 2005 and 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festivals.

The first head coach’s forum was held in November and a third is planned for April next year. “The exchange of ideas was terrific” Coates said.

He also congratulated the coaches on the excellent performances of all their athletes throughout the year. He said ”we are tracking the benchmark results in 2005 and currently we have 49 medals and are sitting equal fourth on the medal tally with Germany”.

The AOC is aiming for another top five finish on the overall medal tally in Beijing.

AOC