PNG’s Athletes to the Olympics games receive support from Australian government

The Australian Government through its PacificAus Sports program has partnered with the Australian Olympic Committee [AOC] and Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee [PNGOC]to support 33 elite athletes from Papua New Guinea in their preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Australia’s support will assist PNG athletes to compete across seven sports including athletics, swimming, boxing, weightlifting, taekwondo, breakdancing and rugby 7s.

Australia continues its commitment to promoting greater inclusion of women and girls in sport at the highest levels and is pleased that 15 female athletes will be supported through this program. This includes weightlifting golden girl Dika Toua, long jumper Rellie Kaputin, boxing’s Sheila Yama and the women’s rugby 7s national team.

Australian High Commissioner, John Feakes said "Australia is proudly investing in partnerships for elite sports in Papua New Guinea through the PacificAus Sports program. I will be keenly watching their qualifying competitions ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."

Secretary General of the PNG Olympic Committee, Desmond Kaviagu welcomed Australia’s support adding, “The support from the PacificAus Sports program is not just about funding; it's about building a legacy of excellence, inclusion, and friendship among our Pacific communities."

PNG long jumper, Rellie Kaputin in thanking Australia for its timely support said, "I'm very grateful to again have that level of support as I prepare to represent not only Papua New Guinea, but my region at the Paris 2024 Olympics."

PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally.

PacificAus Sports-Paris 2024 Pacific Olympic and Paralympic Partnership program

The Paris 2024 Pacific Olympic and Paralympic Partnership program [#Pacific2Paris]is delivered by the Australian Olympic Committee [AOC] and funded through Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s PacificAus Sports program. The #Pacific2Paris program builds on similar support provided for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

The program allocates funds to each Pacific National Olympic Committee [NOC] and the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee to support preparation and attendance at qualification events depending on the athlete's sport, their “home” location and training opportunities. The support covers a range of activities such as: