Four-Time Olympic Swimmer Cate Campbell Elected Chair Of The Australian Olympic Committee Athletes Commission

The Australian Swimming team cheer the Cate Campbell announcement. Swimming team celebrations of the announcement of Cate Campbell as flagbearer for the Australian Olympic Team at Tokyo2020 Olympic Games. Cairns Australia, July 7 2021. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Photo by Delly Carr. Pic Credit Mandatory for free usage. Thank you.

QUEEN OF THE POOL: Australian swimming's queen of the pool Cate Campbell will now chair the Australian Olympic Committee's Athletes Commission. Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).

Australia’s Four-Time Olympic Swimmer Cate Campbell Elected Chair Of The Australian Olympic Committee Athletes Commission

Four-time Australian Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell, the winner of eight Olympic medals, has been elected as the new Chair of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Athletes’ Commission.

CATE IN THE CHAIR: Cate Campbell ready to dive in to the AOC Athletes Commission lead role. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).

Campbell, who added two gold in the 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays and a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle in Tokyo, has committed to preparing for a fifth Games in Paris in 2024.

The 29-year-old, replaces previous Chair, Winter Olympic freestyle skier, Scott Kneller, whose term on the Commission expired after the Beijing Games.

“This is an absolute privilege, particularly when Olympic sport in Australia faces the great opportunities presented over the next decade ahead of Brisbane 2032,” Campbell said.

“In my time on the AOC Athletes’ Commission, I have learned so much from Steve Hooker and more recently Scott Kneller, in how to listen to my fellow Olympians and the importance of the Olympic athlete voice in providing advice to the AOC that can really make a difference.

“My thanks to both Steve and Scott for showing us what’s possible.

“We have seen ideas turn into action in that time and the success we have enjoyed in Tokyo and now in Beijing reflects that athlete input.

“The Athletes’ Commission can also play a huge role in the AOC’s ambitions in the areas of sustainability, Indigenous reconciliation and instilling the values of Olympism in future generations.”

AOC President John Coates says Cate Campbell personifies the Olympic ideals and this has been recognised by her contemporaries.

“Cate’s service on the AOC Athletes’ Commission over the past nine years has been exemplary, particularly in recent times. The leadership she displayed during the great difficulties of the COVID lockdowns was inspirational,” Mr Coates said.

“Seeing Cate leading the Australian Team at the Tokyo Opening Ceremony as joint Flag Bearer with Patrick Mills said so much about her leadership.”

With the Tokyo Summer Games and Beijing Winter Games taking place in close proximity, a new-look Athletes’ Commission is now in place with seven new members appointed following elections after each of the Games, the AOC announced.

Three-time Olympic kayaker, Beijing Olympic gold medallist and champion Gold Coast Lifesaver, Ken Wallace has been elected Deputy Chair while former Australian water polo captain, recently retired triple Olympian and over 300 gamer Rowie Webster will be a welcome addition to the Athletes Commission and was one of five new members elected after Tokyo.

HOT SHOT: Recently retired Australian water polo captain Rowie Webster brings a wealth of experience to the AOC Athleteds Commission.Photo Courtesy:

Wallace served recently as Deputy Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Team and also as Chef de Mission for Australia’s Team at the Pacific Games in Samoa in 2019.

Wallace says he’s been proud to represent the broader athletes’ voice by sitting on the AOC Athletes Commission since 2012.

“Being elected by my peers as Deputy Chair for the Commission is an incredible honour and I feel privileged upon taking up this position,” Wallace said.

“We have been lucky to have dynamic leaders on the Commission in the past, and I look forward to the challenge of trying to fill their shoes.”

Coates said that given the opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead, he could not think of a better team in Campbell and Wallace to take the Athletes’ Commission forward.

“Ken brings such passion and pride – it rubs off on people. He has brought that to the Athletes’ Commission over many years and now as Deputy Chair,” said Mr Coates.

“The Commission has also demonstrated the very important capacity to listen to fellow athletes, with the survey undertaken in 2020 around athletes’ rights to express themselves at Games, a prime example. That initiative showed global leadership on an important issue. The Australian Olympians’ Oath is another example of leadership.

“I believe Cate, Ken and their Commission colleagues will make their mark in many different ways to build on the work that’s already been undertaken.”

The AOC Athletes’ Commission comprises five women and five men. Voting for positions on the Commission takes place after each Games – with Greta Small and Brodie Summers the most recent additions following a vote by winter Olympians at the Beijing Games.”

The AOC Constitution changed last year providing for a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence on the Commission with two positions. Boxer Alex Winwood was voted onto the Commission at last year’s Tokyo Games. A second Indigenous member will be appointed in the very near future.

The AOC Athletes’ Commission comprises:

Cate Campbell – (Swimming – Chair)

Ken Wallace (Paddle – Deputy Chair)

Jess Fox – (Paddle)

Alex Winwood – (Boxing)

Rowie Webster (Water Polo)

Rachael Lynch (Hockey)

Cameron Girdlestone (Rowing)

Andrew Charter (Hockey)

Greta Small (Alpine Skiing)

Brodie Summers (Mogul Skiing)

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