The newly proposed funding structure would mean that the country's top disability athletes, such as Paralympic champions Evan O'Hanlon and Kelly Cartwright, would receive the same level of financial support as Olympic gold medallists like Sally Pearson and other able-bodied stars contracted by Athletics Australia.

"The APC has lobbied extensively to ensure National Federations view their Paralympic programmes on the same level as their Olympic counterparts in terms of funding and operational support," said APC chief executive Jason Hellwig.

"I'm pleased to say we have seen some real progress in recent years.

"The model we have put in place with our National Federations provides them with support to do their jobs, as well as added value through the APC's programmes in areas including talent search, classification, education and development.

"These partnerships help ensure there is maximum value for every dollar spent.

"It has always been a key goal of the APC to secure for Para-athletes the same opportunities and support as their able-bodied peers."

The new funding structure is largely dependent on the recent Athletics Australia funding submission to the Australian Sports Commission, which has been supported by the APC.

Australia finished 10th on the athletics medal table at the London 2012 Paralympics with 27 medals, five of which were gold, but Hellwig says increased funding is needed to help the team remain competitive at Rio 2016.


"We know that several countries are targeting us," said Hellwig, who was Australia's Chef de Mission at London 2012.

"Great Britain is pouring millions of pounds more than us into their Paralympic programme every year, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) has just announced an additional $50 million (£33 million/€38.5 million) in annual funding until Rio 2016 and Russia has confirmed that it is building a new $100 million (£66 million/€77 million) training facility for its Paralympic athletes.

"These are just three of the nations who have made no secret of their desire to see us slide down the medal tally and, if we do not work smartly, that is exactly what will happen.

"Athletics is our biggest Paralympic sport and historically plays one of the biggest roles in the overall success of Australian teams at the Paralympic Games.

"If we are to succeed at future Paralympic Games, our athletics team must continue to improve which is no easy task.

"This is why we place such importance on our relationship with Athletics Australia."

Athletics Australia chief executive Dallas O'Brien has said it is vital that is organisation continues to work with the APC to maintain the strength of the Paralympic programme.

"We have been working with the APC for some time now towards ensuring our high performance programme for both able-bodied athletes and athletes with a disability is fully integrated" he said.

"Part of that integration is the aspiration to have standard funding support for contracted athletes regardless of whether they are Para-athletes or able bodied competitors.

"Athletics Australia enjoys an incredibly strong on-going partnership with the APC and we're proud of the high levels of co-operation and co-ordination we have with them."

"We value their support just as they value ours and together we are focused on ensuring that all athletes, able-bodied or disabled, are treated equitably."

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