The announcement was made during the launch of the Australian Paralympic Sports Centres programme by Hartung (pictured above).

The programme recognises organisations providing exemplary support to the country's Paralympians.

Hartung was joined by AIS director Matt Favier and the Federal Minister for Sport, Kate Lundy.

Hartung praised AIS as it became the first recipient of accreditation to become a centre of Paralympic excellence.

"As a success story in Australian sport, it is hard to go past the impact of the AIS on Paralympic sport," Hartung said.

"The AIS has supported Australian Paralympic athletes since 1988 and continues to nurture some of the best Paralympic athletes in the world."

Thirty-two members of the Australian Paralympic team going to London are either current or former AIS scholars.


A quarter of the Paralympic team at Beijing in 2008 were also AIS athletes, winning three quarters of the country's gold medals.

"In addition to the programs for five Paralympic sports – athletics, rowing, sailing, swimming and alpine skiing (pictured above) – at the AIS, its support has broadened to other areas in recent years including high performance research projects," Hartung added.

"These projects, conducted through a partnership with the APC, have addressed characteristics unique to Paralympic athletes and have delivered dramatic results which we hope will enhance Australia's performances not only in London but at future Paralympic Games.

"This shows that the AIS is worthy of such recognition by the APC, and again emphasises the value that high performance Paralympic programmes can have on Australian sport."

The APC Paralympic Sports Centres programme awards accreditation across three levels: participation, preparation and excellence.

An organisation's ability to provide sustained support to athletes with disabilities and helping them become Paralympians is the key part of the APC selection criteria for the award.

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