The ACT Government donated AUD$200,000 (£102,000/$130,000/€118,000) to the Tokyo 2020 team appeals, as well as providing an additional AUD$100,000 (£51,000/$65,000/€59,000) in training grants for eligible ACT athletes.

The donation will go, it is promised, directly to ensuring Australia’s athletes have the highest quality medical support, physiotherapy, recovery, welfare, logistical and other support.

"We are hoping to send potentially the biggest Olympic Team to leave our shore," said AOC chief executive officer Matt Carroll.

"Depending on qualification, we could reach a team of 490 athletes and maybe more, which shows the incredible support for Olympic sports in Australia.

"Athletes work extremely hard for many years to earn the right to represent their country. 

"Our job is to ensure we give them the best support so they can do their best."

The ACT corporate community is also supporting the team appeal with a fundraising dinner due to take place on May 9. 

"The ACT Government has supported the past three Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing [2008], London [2012] and Rio [2016], and it is great to be supporting the 2020 Tokyo Games," said ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Education and Sport Yvette Berry.

"Canberra has a unique status as the home of elite sport through the Australian Institute of Sport at Bruce and the ACT Academy of Sport. 

"Canberrans have a close relationship to elite athletes here because they’re so accessible to the community through school programmes and as neighbours around town that’s why the government is committed to supporting them through this funding."