Aussie cyclists set to benefit from Commonwealth Games funding initiative

Almost $500,000 will be invested into Australian cycling as part of the initial allocation of #Green2Gold2Great funding from Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA), announced last week.

Green2Gold2Great is a CGA investment initiative that aims to ensure Australia is the number one nation at the Commonwealth Games in terms of gold medals won, overall medals won, total number of medallists and the number of sports winning medals.

As part of the initiative, CGA will commit $13 million across 22 sports between now and the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and is made possible by the investments, sponsorship revenues and fundraising activities of CGA, including the marketing rights fee paid for the 2026 Games.

As part of the initial contribution, cycling will receive $86,931 in foundation allocations based on forecast team size, and $400,000 in specific performance initiatives targeting athletes that are on a trajectory towards inspirational performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which include:

• Leveraging research findings to maximise Track talent transfer to Road and MTB events.
• Maximising targeted international activities for European based athletes across Track, Road and MTB Cross Country.
• Supporting athletes to prepare for 2026 close to where they live in team-based activities.

AusCycling Executive General Manager | Performance Jesse Korf said the investment delivers critical certainty to the development of athletes.

“The Commonwealth Games are the pinnacle for many of our athletes, and they are an important step towards greater international achievement for others,” Korf said.

“Athlete and coach pathway initiatives aimed at the preparation of targeted athletes towards the Commonwealth Games were thrown into uncertainty earlier this year, but the Green2Gold2Great initiative means we can refocus on developing key pathway programs that play an important role in the overall success of the sport.”

CGA Chief Executive Officer Craig Phillips AM similarly outlined the role the funding has in delivering successful outcomes for athletes.

“The Games host may be unknown for now, but what’s guaranteed is our commitment to our athletes and sports as they prepare for 2026,” Phillips said.

“We want our team to arrive ready to compete, with CGA funding complementing other performance investment to ensure athletes have the tools for success.”

Green2Gold2Great will enable the delivery of 37 performance initiatives across 22 sports geared toward 2026 success, and ensure Australian athletes put their best foot forward on the global stage.

For more information, visit commonwealthgames.com.au

Images: Guy Swarbrick