RIO 2016: Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller has told a large media gathering in Sydney that the framework has been set for a successful conclusion to the Rio Olympic campaign.
To mark one year until the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games and to launch a new modernised brand, Chiller said the Australian Team had the opportunity for a top-5 finish on the medal tally if sports ‘stepped up’.
“We are now down to the business end of this campaign,” Chiller said.
“Test events are underway and a lot of our athletes are qualifying spots for the Games and competing in important World Championships.
“Right now, we are following the world swimming titles in Russia with interest. And there have been some outstanding Australian performances.
“Regardless of the outcome, we are conscious of the need to take the pressure off the swimmers. It is time some other sports stepped up and relieved the swimmers of the burden of winning the bulk of the medals.”
The Australian swimmers at the Olympics generally win one-third of the medals.
Chiller compared the spread of medals from 20 sports at Sydney 2000 to 13 at London 2012 as not only impacting the overall Team performance but also adding extra pressure on swimmers.
“The spread of medals must be greater. To achieve our goals in Rio some sports need to step up.”
Chiller is confident the culture and values roadshow called IGNITE, which reached 1100 Rio hopefuls, is just one of the positive developments since London. There have been a lot of changes to the Team structure, policies and distractions for athletes with ‘high performance’ being at the core of all decisions.
“The Ignite the Dream series was setting the ground work for what it means to be an Australian Olympian. Now with one year to go I feel the time is right to start – we have a really good framework and cultural base for our team.
“The timing is deliberate. Now is the time to start honing in on performance and that’s why I think that today is the appropriate time to say to other sports (outside of swimming) who are heading into world championships and qualifying events that everybody needs to step up.”
Chiller reflected on London where she was a Deputy Chef.
“That was something in London. The inordinate number of silver medals that we got – it is turning the silvers into golds but also Australia was well down the list in turning the fifth to eighth places into podium finishes and they’re those one per centres that will make the difference.”
Australia won three bronze medals (men’s hockey, women’s basketball and water polo) in 2012.
“In Rio with men’s and women’s hockey, women’s basketball and women’s rugby sevens, all genuine chances for gold, and the men’s basketball team will never be better placed to finally crack the podium finish.”
The Australian men’s water polo team look primed for a breakthrough Olympic finish and the women have been on the podium from three of four attempts.
Australian women’s hockey team captain Madonna Blyth said experienced athletes can help younger ones for a successful Rio campaign.
“I’ve been a part of the team for more than 11 years and as a senior athlete you have the responsibility to make the journey of the younger athletes easier and to help them enjoy it and relax a little bit,” Blyth said.
“I think it is important that senior players take that responsibility and no doubt heading into Rio in 2016 we’ll have a few younger athletes at their first Games and for me it’s about letting them enjoy their journey and preparing them for the experience that lies ahead.”
Another experienced athlete attending the press conference was hurdles Olympic champion Sally Pearson. She is recovering from wrist surgery following a fall in competition. She is buoyed though by commencing her rehabilitation training.
“With 365 days until the Olympics in Rio I know that despite this setback there is plenty of time to be ready and push for the podium again,” Pearson said.
Pearson, Blyth and Chiller know you can only control what you can control.
“’Will Rio be ready in time? I’m sure they will but those things are out of my hands.”
“’Will we be ready? Yes, absolutely we will. We are all about preparing a Team that is comfortable, confident and ready to play when they arrive in Rio next August.”
Learn about the new Australian Olympic mark that athletes will wear and fans will wave here>>>
Andrew Reid
olympics.com.au
