· Premier announces $450,000 investment for Victorian Commonwealth Games Association
· The investment will help cover travel costs for Victorian athletes participating in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
· The Victorian Government is proud to support Victorian athletes and a more active Victoria

The Victorian Coalition Government will invest $450,000 to support Victorian athletes’ participation in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

Premier Denis Napthine joined the Minister for Sport and Recreation Damian Drum today to make the announcement, attended by marathon legend Steve Moneghetti who has been appointed Chef-de-Mission for the 2014 Australian team.

“We are proud to support our athletes, who will represent the green and gold this year as part of the 2014 Australian team,” Dr Napthine said.

“This funding will go a long way towards helping Victorian athletes and the Victorian Commonwealth Games Association cover travel expenses to Glasgow.”

Victorian athletes will make up about 30 per cent of the 2014 Australian team that is expected to number more than 425 athletes and 175 officials.

“Australia has been the most successful nation since the Commonwealth Games were first held in 1930, and has topped both the gold medal and total medal tallies since the Auckland games in 1990,” Dr Napthine said.

“The success of Victorian athletes overseas reflects our state’s world-class sports infrastructure and our major sporting events calendar.”

At the last Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi, Australia led the medal count with 74 gold, 55 silver, and 49 bronze, for a total of 178 medals.

“Since 1930, Australian athletes have won an impressive total of 2,077 Commonwealth Games medals, including 803 gold, 670 silver and 604 bronze,”
Dr Napthine said.

“All Victorians will be watching with pride as our team members represent Australia at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

Minister for Sport and Recreation Damian Drum said that the efforts of Victorian athletes at the Commonwealth Games will motivate those watching back at home.

“The Commonwealth Games showcases a wide variety of sports and sees the nation glued to TV screens watching our athletes’ performances,” Mr Drum said.

“The efforts of Victorian athletes at the Commonwealth Games will inspire many people, both young and old, to play a sport from their past or to try their hand at something new, all helping to build a more active Victoria.”

The 2014 team is currently undertaking a selection process, with the full team expected to be finalised by mid-June this year.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 3 August.