Australian Federal Sports Minister Greg Hunt "hosed down speculation" the Australian Institute of Sport will close as a center of excellence for athletes and be "converted to an administrative hub" for national sports organizations, according to Roy Masters of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Sports execs, particularly leaders of some Olympic disciplines, have been "panicked" by reports the Australian Sports Commission/AIS site at Bruce in Canberra "will shut down all athlete services" and become a bureaucratic center, incorporating other federal government agencies such as Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. Former Federal Sports Minister Bob Ellicott remains a "passionate supporter" of the AIS and has publicly opposed the ASC's "Winning Edge" strategy of focusing resources on the major sports, "effectively emasculating the AIS." However, Hunt "made it clear" via a spokesperson that the AIS will remain a center for athletes. The spokesperson said, "Minister Hunt is committed to the long-term future of athletes on-site and how we can better utilize it. This is all part of a broad discussion for the long-term national sports plan in which the AIS will play a critical role" (SMH, 8/14).
