Olympic boost for Wright after title win
Surfer Tyler Wright's dominant world title campaign has resulted in a $20,000 Olympic funding boost.
The 22-year-old's maiden World Surf League crown makes Wright one of 71 athletes who'll receive funding from the Australian Olympic Committee as part of it's Medal Incentive Funding (MIF) program.
The MIF will award over $1 million in funding to athletes who won medals at this year's Rio Olympics.
The AOC has also determined any athlete from one of the five new sports added to the Olympic program for Tokyo 2020 who wins their world championship or equivalent to be eligible for the MIF.
Surfing was one of those new sports added to the next Olympic program.
Wright and skateboarding champion Shane O'Neill have both been awarded $20,000 funds for their world title successes in 2016.
Wright says competing in Tokyo is definitely part of her future plans.
"I sincerely appreciate the support from the AOC and am really looking forward to the opportunity to represent Australia on an Olympic stage" she said.
Former world surfing champion and Surfing Australia chair Layne Beachley said the MIF program gives an added incentive to Australian surfers competing on the world tour.
"I am incredibly proud of Tyler Wright's dominant performance on the 2016 WSL Womens' World Tour and have no doubt her outstanding achievements will inspire a generation of future world champions and Olympians," Beachley said.
