Australia is set to stage the Olympic Games for the third time in 2032 after Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000.

The first camp as part of the pursu32+ NSWIS ready regional academy of sport programme was held at the Sydney Olympic Park, a key venue from the last time the country staged the Games.

A total of 43 young athletes were selected for the first phase of the talent programme, of which 39 attended the camp.

They were nominated by their sport or a regional academy and then required to submit an expression of interest.

Selection criteria included potential to progress to elite competition and Brisbane 2032, resilience, motivation, aptitude, commitment and family support.

The camp offered tests, nutrition advice, group activities and a panel discussion featuring Australian divers Melissa Wu, a two-time Olympic medallist, and Ruby Drogmuller as well as coach Chava Sobrino.

NSWIS director of coaching, regional and talent Andrew Logan said "heroes inspire", and believes the programme can help to make sport more accessible for young athletes from remote areas of the state.

"They’re generally challenged by the distances they have to travel," he said.

"Anecdotally we know that a lot of representation on Australian teams are athletes who emerge out of regional Australia.

"Why is that?

"Well, we know they’re more resilient - and that’s not to say city kids aren’t resilient - because [regional athletes] have to jump in car, travel to Sydney for up to eight hours, compete, and then jump in a car and return home.

"They don’t have the same opportunities [as city athletes] but when they’re provided with one, they grab it and go with it, and make the best of it.

"And that’s the purpose of this programme: and also, to make them better people.

"Bringing them into the New South Wales Institute of Sport exposes them to what the real word of elite sport is."