The President of the Australian Olympic Committee John Coates today heaped praise on the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) declaring WAIS had played a major role in Australia’s recent Olympic success.

“The 58 medals won at the Sydney Olympics and 49 medals in Athens last year are a direct result of the programs and commitment of the WA Institute of Sport and other State Institutes of Sport and Academies around Australia” Coates said.

He was announcing a new agreement between the AOC and WAIS where the Institute is officially recognised as an Olympic Training Centre.

“Since its formation in 1984 WAIS has been a breeding ground for outstanding Olympic athletes and the AOC is delighted to forge closer ties as we head towards the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing” Coates said.

Executive Director of WAIS, Steve Lawrence stated “that WAIS is committed to enhancing the success of Australian Olympic teams through partnerships with sport and the AOC. We are delighted to be acknowledged by the AOC as a key partner in assisting Australian athletes achieve Olympic success”.

President of the WA Olympic Council Tim Willoughby said that “The Western Australian Olympic Council is delighted that WAIS is again recognised by the AOC as an Olympic Training Centre heading towards the 2008 Beijing Games. WA Olympic athletes gave some historically significant performances in Athens under the coaching preparation of WAIS and we look forward to assisting WAIS in preparing as many WA athletes as possible to be part of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team.”

A record 54 Western Australians were members of the 2004 Australian Olympic Team of which 46 were either current or former WAIS athletes. WA athletes contributed four gold, three silver and two bronze medals, a total of 13 medal-winning performances across nine events and five sports including cycling, swimming, rowing, athletics and hockey, reflecting the best ever medal tally result in WA’s 92 year Olympic history.

Only recently WAIS athletes Peter Robertson, Triathlon, and Robin Bell, Canoeing, Sarah Outhwaite, Rowing and Clayton Fredericks, Equestrian were crowned world champions. WAIS athletes have also excelled in many other sports including Water Polo, Taekwondo and Sailing.

“Given the performances it is only logical that the Australian Olympic Committee recognises the commitment of the athletes, coaches, sports scientists and health experts, and administrative staff by declaring WAIS an Olympic Training Centre” said Coates.

Coates also thanked the Government of Western Australia for their outstanding support of WAIS. The WA Government provides $3,750,000 in funding to the Institute annually to ensure the institute produces outstanding elite athletes but just as importantly role models for young Western Australians. “The government’s support is to be applauded” Coates said.

“What is also heartening for me is too see Olympians like Sydney gold medallists Belinda Stowell and Simone Hankin now coaching the WAIS Sailing and Women’s Water Polo Programs. Our Olympians are tremendous role models and have so much to offer the younger athletes coming through the ranks. I applaud WAIS Executive Director Steve Lawrence and his Board for the foresight of involving Olympians in their program”.

WAIS is an integral part of the AOC’s development of young athletes through the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, an international event staged every two years.
WA athletes including Travis Nederpelt & Scott Sunderland have dominated their events at the Festival which has been staged three times, 2001, 2003 and 2005.

“We are staging our fourth Youth Festival in 2007 and we expect young athletes from WAIS to be amongst the medals again and more importantly stake a claim for a place in the 2008 Australian Olympic Team for Beijing” Coates said.

AOC