The Australian Institute of Sport was built in 1981 to provide high level coaching and training for Australian athletes. It's a sport system that supports Australian athletes to achieve podium success in events such as the Olympic Games. The AIS was officially opened by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser on Australia Day, 26th January 1981. Don Talbot, a renowned swim coach, was appointed as the institute's first director. Just 3 years after the initiation of the AIS at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, AIS athletes won 7 of the 12 swimming medals, gymnastics recorded a best ever performance and three track and field athletes finished in the top 6 of their events. The institute was initially based in Canberra with 8 sports; Basketball, Gymnastics, Tennis, Soccer, Track and Field, Netball, Swimming and weightlifting. While some of the original sports, for example Netball and Basketball have remained situated in Canberra others have been relocated to Melbourne such as tennis. Today the AIS offers assistance to coaches on different campuses all over Australia including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The Institute also gives scholarships out to some of their exceptional athletes. Approximately 700 athletes receive scholarships from the institute each year.
- Jordan D.