Indonesia "officially joined bidding" to host the 2032 Olympics following its "success staging the Asian Games last year," according to Niniek Karmini of the AP. Indonesian Olympic Committee Deputy Chair Muddai Madang announced the bid on Tuesday, "highlighting the rising ambitions of the giant but perennially underperforming Southeast Asian nation." He said that letters from Indonesian President Joko Widodo and the national Olympic committee were delivered to the IOC's president in Lausanne last week by Indonesia’s ambassador to Switzerland. Widodo, who is campaigning for re-election, "made a surprise announcement" of plans to bid for the 2032 Games after the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang co-hosted the Asian Games in August, and the process has "gathered momentum." The Olympics have never been held in Southeast Asia. India is planning to bid for the 2032 Games and North and South Korea have confirmed an intention to launch a joint bid. Australia and Russia have also expressed interest (AP, 2/19).
GETTING RESULTS: The AAP's Steve Larkin reported skateboarders and archers "will get almost as much funding as track and field athletes" under Australia's Olympic medal incentive program. The Australian Olympic Committee will spend A$2.38M ($1.7M) in funding 192 athletes in the program, "based on medal results at major competitions last year." The AOC provides A$20,000 ($14,300) for a Gold Medal, A$15,000 ($10,800) for Silver and A$10,000 ($7,200) for Bronze (AAP, 2/19).
