Eight summer Olympians will be formally inducted as members of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Athletes’ Commission today in Sydney.
Eight summer Olympians were formally inducted as members of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Athletes’ Commission today in Sydney.
James Tomkins (Rowing), Clint Robinson (Canoe/Kayak), Natalie Cook (Beach Volleyball), Grant Hackett (Swimming), Lisbeth Trickett (Swimming), Chantelle Newbery (Diving), Angie Lambert (Hockey) and Trent Franklin (Water Polo) are the new members – all were voted in by their teammates at the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
“It is an honour to be elected by your peers and as an Olympian to represent them in the next four years moving forward to London,” four-time Olympian and Olympic gold medallist Cook said.
Today Tomkins, a six-time Olympian, was elected the chair and dual Olympian Franklin the deputy, by the members of the Commission present. Hackett and winter Olympic representatives Jacqui Cooper and Steven Bradbury were all unable to attend.
“It is great to have an active role with the AOC Executive. It just gives you that little bit of an extra chance to hear what is happening and push the athletes’ voice,” Franklin said.
The AOC is one of only a handful of national Olympic committees that have two athletes (Athletes’ Commission chair and deputy chair) on their Executive as full voting members.
“I love it! That is why I put my hand up, I want to be involved. The Olympics are such a massive part of my life and I want it to continue. I love the sport and I love the movement,” Tomkins said.
“What I am looking forward to is actually making a difference and trying to do something that benefits all the other athletes.”
The Commission meets four to five times (two minimum) throughout the year and the chair (Tomkins) or deputy (Franklin) will report the outcomes of their meetings on all matters relating to the Olympic movement from an athletes’ perspective to the AOC Executive.
“People know me as someone who will stand up for the athletes when I believe in something and I am hoping to do that again in this role,” Olympic gold medallist Chantelle Newbery said.
These iconic Australian athletes make up the eight summer and two winter Olympians on the Commission. No less than three male and three female summer Olympians can be elected and their must be one male and one female winter Olympian represented.
Each person elected will hold office for a period of four years from the date of their appointment.
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