Artistic Swimming Australia welcomes AOC’s investment in Olympians’ futures

12 December 2025

Artistic Swimming Australia has welcomed the Australian Olympic Committee’s (AOC) $50 million commitment to enhance support for the nation’s Summer and Winter Olympians, including the launch of the new Olympian Futures Fund.

The initiative sees the AOC invest directly in athletes’ livelihoods and future pathways, recognising the personal and financial challenges that come with dedicating years to elite performance on the world stage.

At the centre of the announcement is the $20 million Olympian Futures Fund, designed to help Olympians transition beyond sport and encourage ongoing participation across multiple Games. The Fund will provide a Retirement Grant of $32,000 per Games, supporting Olympians who have often delayed careers, education, and long-term financial planning while chasing their Olympic dreams.

In a milestone move for gender equity, the initiative will also offer a $10,000 Return to Olympic Sport Grant (post-birth) to eligible female Olympians committed to returning to competition after having children

Additionally, from Milano Cortina 2026 through to Brisbane 2032, all Olympians will receive a $5,000 Team Selection Payment, with a total of $7.6 million to be distributed over that period.

Artistic Swimming Australia Chair Mark Sinderberry said the measures reflect a significant and progressive step forward for athlete welfare.

“By recognising the realities of family, commitment, and future planning, these changes will help our athletes stay in sport long after they might have previously stepped away,” Mr Sinderberry said.

Olympian (Sydney, 2000) and Commonwealth Games medallist Irena Olevsky said the financial and parental support now available would have transformed her own sporting journey.

“I would have stayed for Athens and Beijing if this was available when I was competing. It was so great to see childcare available at the Olympic village, if I hadn't retired I could have taken my child to watch me compete at the Olympics.”

Artistic Swimming Australia commended the AOC’s continued investment in athlete welfare and its commitment to making Olympic careers more sustainable ahead of Brisbane 2032.

Artistic Swimming Australia is the national governing body for the sport of artistic swimming in Australia, responsible for leading and developing the sport from grassroots participation through to high-performance international representation. The organisation is recognised by World Aquatics, the Australian Olympic Committee and Sport Australia, and works with partners including the Australian Institute of Sport to support athletes, coaches, officials and clubs nationwide.

ENDS

Media contact - Frances Adcock, frances.adcock@artisticswimming.org.au