OLYMPIC GAMES

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. How are South Australian athletes progressing towards selection for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:46): I thank the member for Norwood for her question. South Australia can expect to have a strong contingent of athletes competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The games are a key focus and priority for the South Australian Sports Institute, with 47 SASI athletes currently in Australian shadow teams for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Twelve SASI athletes have already qualified for Beijing in their own right, but they are awaiting official selection from the Australian Olympic Committee which will finalise and announce the team in July.

During 2007, in preparation for the games, SASI had 39 athletes selected to senior national teams and more than 80 athletes selected to junior national teams and squads. The South Australian Olympic Council has also been very supportive and it is currently organising the 2008 Premier's Games Appeal Dinner. This event is an important fundraiser for our athletes, and it includes a lot of support from the corporate sector, with funds raised supporting the athletes before, during and after the games. The Premier's Games Appeal Dinner will be held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on 1 August, exactly one week before the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

With Beijing only a few months away, it is important to acknowledge the role that the South Australian Sports Institute plays in developing our current and future world-class athletes. From South Australia's comparatively smaller population base, SASI's output of elite achievers is something of which we can all be proud. With its world-class programs, coaching and support services, SASI is doing a wonderful job in producing our sporting champions of today and tomorrow. I wish each of the athletes selected for the games every success.