AIS pays more than $3m in restoration to abused athletes

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has paid over $3 million to more than 225 athletes who were abused while holding scholarships between 1981 and 2013. The restorative program, which covered scholarship holders between those years, awarded each athlete between $5,000 and $50,000. Australian Sports Commission (ASC) chief Kieran Perkins stated that the money is just one aspect of the restoration program, with the primary goal being to give ex-athletes a voice and ensure their experiences do not continue to occur in modern sports.

Perkins expressed that the ASC formally apologized in 2022 to the AIS scholarship holders subjected to abuse at the nation's sporting hub in Canberra. He emphasized that the money, while important, was merely one component of the restoration program, which aimed to provide a voice for the athletes who endured the trauma.

Perkins stressed that acknowledging and addressing the human beings affected by the abuse is crucial, rather than merely attempting to hide or protect the organization's image. He highlighted that many athletes feel guilty for not speaking up earlier, but this sentiment is not valid, as they were children at the time and should not bear the burden of the organization's failings.

The ASC released a survey showing generally positive wellbeing in Australian sport, with 71% of respondents feeling they were thriving. However, some groups, such as para athletes and people with disabilities, reported lower or more variable experiences. First Nations respondents showed a broader range of experiences, suggesting that outcomes may be significantly influenced by the presence or absence of culturally safe and supportive environments.

Perkins acknowledged that there is still much work to be done, but emphasized the need to maintain momentum in improving the overall wellbeing of Australian sport.