Led by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the inaugural Future Green and Gold campaign swept through every capital city to find future medal contenders – with some already set to compete on the world stage.
“It typically takes 7-8 years before an athlete is ready to compete internationally – yet some of these athletes have taken six months. That is extraordinary,” said Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells MP.
“2032 is about so much more than stadiums, it’s about the athletes who create the memories inside the venues wearing green and gold.
“Now we have a new generation of athletes alongside our current powerhouses, especially in sports like athletics and Para snow, who have received the biggest boost in talent.”
Tasmania’s Shannon Winchester is one such example having just been named in Australia’s 51- strong squad alongside Vanessa Low and James Turner competing at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in September.
Meanwhile Perth teenager Griffin Angelatos recently claimed gold in the Para K1 500m event at the National Sprint Canoe/Kayak Championship, just a year after losing his left foot in an accident.
Angelatos and Paddle Australia have worked closely with the AIS engineering team to design a prosthetic leg - a major upgrade from a home-made foam roller he was using previously.
The campaign was a joint effort between the AIS, Paralympics Australia (PA), the state institutes and more than 40 sports, as well as supported by the Australian Olympic Committee.
“The quality of talent we’ve uncovered these past few months has exceeded our expectations,” said Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements.
“It was the first time the entire high performance sector worked together to scout talent and is a great example of what’s possible with a united approach.”
All 346 athletes have now been linked with a sport, with some undertaking further training before securing a spot.
Those who missed out on the 2024 national talent search can find future opportunities via the AIS website.
Olympic sport breakdown (please note some athletes were identified for multiple sports):
Athletics (26)
Artistic Swimming (18)
Boxing (19)
Canoe Sprint (10)
Canoe Slalom (5)
Flag Football (9)
Handball (96)
Rowing (15)
Triathlon (23)
Water Polo (3)
Weight Lifting (24)
Para sport breakdown (please note some athletes were identified for multiple sports):
Goalball (2)
Para-Archery (20)
Para-Athletics (25)
Para-Badminton (1)
Para-Bowls (77) (Commonwealth Games pathway only)
Para-Canoe (5)
Para-Cycling (1)
Para-Powerlifting (6)
Para-Rowing (16)
Para-Shooting (12)
Para-Snow Sports (25)
Para-Sport Climbing (10)
Para-Swimming (2)
Para-Table Tennis (25)
Para-Taekwondo (5)
Para-Triathlon (7)
Wheelchair Basketball (16)
Wheelchair Rugby (6)
Credit: Australian Sports Commission | Australian Institute of Sport
