Regarded as one of the most crucial advancements in Australian sports since the establishment of 
the Australian Institute of Sport, this new development is creating waves.
Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib has proclaimed that the new European Training Centre (ETC), situated in northern Italy, is essential for Australia to remain competitive against wealthier nations as the London Olympics approaches next year.
On Thursday morning, the state-of-the-art facility, nestled by the scenic shores of Lake Varese in Gavirate, was inaugurated before a gathering of hundreds of local officials and media representatives.
“We cannot compete financially with the powerhouses of sport that are spending massively, so our strategy is to be smarter and more efficient with our resources,” Arbib explained.
“This facility will provide our key sports with a competitive advantage.”
Designed to mirror the AIS’s training atmosphere, the ETC aims to serve as a “home away from home” for athletes.
Arbib noted that the centre addresses the challenges posed by Australia’s long distances, significantly easing the financial, emotional, and physical burdens on athletes competing in Europe.
According to Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates, the importance of the centre could boost the nation’s efforts to reclaim a position among the top five countries in the medal tally at the London Games.
Having achieved fourth place in Sydney and Athens, Australia dropped to sixth in Beijing, with the AOC forecasting an eighth-place finish based on the previous year’s outcomes.
The federal government has dedicated $12.5 million to the ETC’s operations, while the projected annual costs are around $2.5 million.
Coates emphasized that the centre enhances Australia’s prospects of competing with top athletes from Western Europe in London.
“This support can be crucial,” he asserted.
“…. It essentially puts us back on equal footing in a very professional manner.”
Three-time world cycling champion Michael Rogers remarked that this would significantly ease the journey for young Australian athletes in Europe.
“It is an invaluable resource for all Australian athletes participating in the London Olympics,” he stated.
“Knowing that if you’re injured, you’re just a direct flight away from familiar sports science and recovery professionals is reassuring.”
For over a decade, Australian rowers and cyclists have frequented the Varese province, drawn by its favorable climate, accessible facilities, and transportation links.
Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Petrucci expressed that Australians would remain welcome, even if they were to claim gold medals from Italian competitors at the 2012 Olympics.
“Our aspiration is to overtake you in any case,” Petrucci remarked with a grin.
The facility can host 50 athletes, and arrangements have been made with local hotels for when the number exceeds capacity.
Owned by the province, the ETC has been leased to Australia for ten years, with two additional five-year options following that period.
by Buford Balony
