By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
Australia's Sports Minister Mark Arbib has announced a $2.5 million (£1.5 million) funding boost for a number of sports where they will be competing against Britain for medals at next year's Olympics in London, including cycling, rowing and sailing.
Money will be redirected from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to launch a new initiative - the Green and Gold Project - that is designed to try to regain Australia's place among the top five Olympic nations at London 2012.
They slipped out of the top four to sixth at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, their lowest position since Barcelona in 1992 as a British team, strengthened by extra National Lottery funding as a result of London being awarded the Games, finished above them for the first time since 1988.
"There's no doubt that it is a modest sum but it will be targeted to those sports, we think, can make a difference in London," Arbib said at the Australian Paralympic Committee President's lunch in Sydney.
"The 'Green and Gold' project is designed to turn potential fourth, fifth, and six results into medals and turning bronze medals into silver and gold.
"I am an unapologetic supporter of elite sport."
He has brought together the ASC, Australian Institute of Sport and Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) to oversee the project and urged them to use the knowledge gained in elite sport over the last 30 years to help make a difference.
A new head coach forums is to be set up under the chairmanship of Britain's former head swimming coach Bill Sweetenham to try to ensure Australia gain revenge over Britain.
Britain won 19 gold medals compared to Australia's 14 in Beijing, leading to plenty of gloating from the Poms, including The Sun hiring a lorry to drive around London with a banner asking "Where the Bloody Hell Were You", mocking a campaign that had been launched at the time by the Australian tourist authorities.