ASC supported skate facility to boost Paris preparations
Australia’s skaters have received a big boost ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with a new indoor training facility unveiled on the Gold Coast.
31 May 2024
Australia’s skaters have received a big boost ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with a new indoor training facility unveiled on the Gold Coast.
Australian skater Felicity Turner at the ASC-funded facility on the Gold Coast.
Designed to replicate conditions athletes will experience in Paris, the facility is one of 56 targeted projects across 26 sports supported by the ASC’s Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund.
The fund, unveiled by the Minister for Sport last July, is a $20 million commitment from the Australian Government to significantly enhance medal potential and improve the performance of Australian athletes in Paris.
With the Olympic qualifiers in Budapest just a month away, Paris hopeful Haylie Powell said the new facility is a gamechanger.
“It’s something we have always wanted and it saves me travelling all the way over to Europe like I did earlier this year to train,” Powell said.
“[It’s similar to] the facility I was training at in Sweden, but this one is perfect for what we all need for upcoming events.”
Australian skater Haylie Powell at the new ASC-funded facility on the Gold Coast.
Street skater Tommy Fynn said the facility offers a training option that is not impacted by weather conditions and external factors.
“With this new facility, our preparations for Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest have been really on point," said Fynn.
“It has allowed us to stick to a schedule. Before, when we didn’t have an indoor skate park, it meant we were a bit all over the place with the weather and other skate park users.
“This facility is high level, it’s really similar to what we skate in a competition. The way it has been designed allows you to keep going around in circles to build stamina.”
Skate Australia Chair Dr Phil Hamdorf said: “With under 60 days to go until the Paris Olympic Games, I want to applaud the Australian Sports Commission, the Queensland Government, and Gold Coast City Council for creating this world-class temporary venue to help prepare our Olympic hopefuls.”
“Since skateboarding was introduced at the Tokyo Olympics, interest in skateboarding has significantly increased and we are proud to have so many athletes in contention for Olympic selection.”
