The Tasmanian Institute of Sport will play a key role in the preparation of the Australian Olympic Team for the 2008 Games in Beijing.

TIS has signed a new agreement with the Australian Olympic Committee where the Institute is officially recognised as an Olympic Training Centre.

“Given the tremendous contribution made by the athletes, coaches and other specialist staff since the inception of the TIS it is only fitting that the Institute is recognised as an official Olympic Training Centre” AOC President John Coates said today.

“The AOC has enjoyed longstanding ties with the TIS and the Olympians who have emerged from your program have not only excelled on the international stage but have been outstanding ambassadors for their state”.

Nine athletes from TIS represented Australia at the Athens Games including hockey gold medallist Matthew Wells.

Under the new agreement TIS and the AOC will jointly provide advice and support for all Institute scholarship holders who participate in sports on the Olympic program.

The partnership is committed to the fight against doping in sport. And they aim to promote and develop funding and support programs for athletes and coaches preparing for the 2008 Games.

Coates praised the Tasmanian Government for their financial support of TIS. He said the government backing ensured that the institute produced outstanding elite athletes but also role models for young Tasmanians.

“I am sure that Matthew Wells would be the first to agree that the leadership qualities he developed at TIS enabled him to lead the men’s hockey team to a long overdue gold medal at the last Olympic Games in Athens. Matthew is typical of the many Tasmanian athletes who have been part of our Olympic teams in the past”.

The Director of The TIS, Paul Austen said that it was important for the TIS to be recognised in this way for the role it plays in the development of athletes that represent Australia at the Olympic Games.

“It is also important in ensuring our Tasmanian athletes are supported to the highest level, that the TIS enjoy a strong and productive partnership with the AOC” Austen said.

AOC