AOC: One of sport’s most highly respected female administrators is stepping down from her role as an Executive Board Member of the Australian Olympic Committee
AOC: One of sport’s most highly respected female administrators is stepping down from her role as an Executive Board Member of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). After more than a decade of service, Lynne Bates AM is moving on and leaving behind a significant legacy of leadership, operational management and sound business acumen.
“Lynne will be very much missed,” AOC President John Coates said.
“She has made a wonderful contribution to the AOC Executive and our Teams in her role as Deputy Chef de Mission. As an Olympic medallist and competition director for swimming at the Sydney Olympics, and World Championships, Lynne brought an important perspective to the table.”
Bates, who won an Olympic silver medal in swimming at the 1968 Mexico City Games, joined the AOC Executive Board in 2001. She was the Deputy Chef de Mission to the 2004 and 2008 Australian Olympic Teams in Athens and Beijing. She was also a Team Administrator for the 1996 and 1992 Australian Olympic Team in Atlanta and Barcelona.
“Being Deputy Chef de Mission was very much a highlight for me,” Bates said. “It was in this role I was able to contribute to the planning and preparation of the Team, which ultimately led to its success.”
The West Australian has decided that after 12 years of service, it was time to move on and allow others to make a contribution. Olympians Nicole Livingstone, Danielle Woodward and Kitty Chiller have all been elected unopposed to the Board.
“I will very much miss my fellow board members, but feel it is time to allow others to gain the experience and make their own contribution,” she said. “These three women with their sporting experience will bring a good range of skills to the Board.”
Bates has been involved in the administration of swimming, sport and the Olympic Games for over forty years and has an extensive list of career achievements and honours.
The West Australian was the Chief Operating Officer for the 2010 World Swimming Championships in Dubai, 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney and 2007 World Swimming Championships in Melbourne. She was the Group Tournament Logistics Manager for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the Aquatics Manager for the Sydney Olympic Games Organisation Committee.
It was at the conclusion of the Sydney 2000 Games, Bates was awarded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Gold Pin by then IOC President Samaranch for her contribution to the “Best Ever” Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Aquatics.
“Being awarded the IOC Gold Pin from Samaranch in 2000 was an amazing career highlight for me,” Bates said.
In 2005 she became the first female elected to the FINA Bureau and was awarded the IOC Women in Sport Trophy. The following year she was awarded the Order of Australia for outstanding service to the Australian Olympic Committee and Swimming Australia and in 2007 the FINA Gold Plaque.
“I have very good memories of the Olympics and will miss my involvement immensely.”
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