September 2022, Articles

Investment for 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic cycle announced

Minister of Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson has announced an investment of more than $20 million over the next four years to prepare athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milano Cortina.

The announcement reflects investment decisions made by the HPSNZ Board. It includes increased funding for Snow Sports New Zealand and Ice Speed Skating New Zealand, investment in two new sports – Biathlon and Luge, and additional funding to support completion of the new Snow Sports dry slope training facility at Cardrona.

A total of $14.3 million of funding will go into the National Sporting Organisations to support their Winter Olympic and Paralympic campaigns as well as athlete and coach development.

Direct financial support of $3 million will be provided for athletes through the Tailored Athlete Pathway Support programme, with a further $3 million being provided for High Performance Sport New Zealand Performance Support services, such as medical, performance nutrition and performance and technique analysis.

An additional $390,000 of funding will go towards supporting completion of the new Snow Sports dry slope training facility at Cardrona.

Snow Sports New Zealand were thrilled with Minister Robertson’s announcement of the increase in investment for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic cycle and new investment into Freeride.

Snow Sports NZ CEO Nic Cavanagh said, “The increase in investment for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic cycle, along with the first time we have received investment into Freeride is fantastic. This allows us to support deeper down the pathway with both a high performance and wellbeing-focussed approach for our athletes and staff, whilst maintaining tailored support to our medal capable campaigns. I am incredibly proud of our team, the results they have achieved over the last four years and the way the athletes have conducted themselves on the world’s slopes. Thank you to Minister Robertson and High Performance Sport New Zealand for their support of our campaigns.”

For the full media release from Minister of Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson click here.
For the full Snow Sports New Zealand media release click here.