The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is the National Olympic Committee responsible for developing, promoting, and protecting the Olympic Movement in Australia. The AOC has the exclusive responsibility for the representation of Australia at the Olympic Games (Summer and Winter), the Youth Olympic Games and at Regional Games patronized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). All National Olympic Committees (currently 205 worldwide) are constituents of the International Olympic Committee.
Organisation
The Australian Olympic Committee is composed of 45 member National Sport Federations, representing each sport on the Olympic program for the Summer Olympic Games and the Olympic Winter Games.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is an independent, incorporated not-for-profit organisation committed to the development of youth and sport in Australia. The AOC is responsible to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to develop, promote and protect the Olympic movement in Australia in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
The AOC is responsible for selecting the Team that represents Australia at the Olympic Games, after considering nominations by each National Sport Federation. The AOC also selects Teams for Youth Olympic Games and Regional Games, such as the Pacific Games.
The AOC Executive comprises the President, Ian Chesterman, who was elected in 2022 along with Vice Presidents Evelyn Halls and Matt Allen.
The Chief Executive Officer is Matt Carroll, who serves on the AOC Executive along with John Coates, who is the IOC Member in Australia. Other Executive members are Mark Arbib, Cate Campbell, Craig Carracher, Alisa Camplin-Warner, Kitty Chiller, Catherine Fettell, Michael Murphy, Elizabeth Scott and Ken Wallace.
John Coates, who retired as President in 2022 after 32 years in the role, has been an IOC member since 2001, serving on the Executive Board from 2009 – 2013 and 2020 to the present day and is currently an IOC Vice President.
Patron in Chief is the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, General David Hurley, and Patron is the Prime Minister of Australia, currently The Hon Anthony Albanese MP.
The AOC has an Athletes' Commission, responsible for advising the AOC Executive on all matters pertaining to the Olympic Movement from an athlete's perspective. The Commission is made up of 11 members, all Olympians who have been elected by their Olympic teammates during a Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
The Chair is Cate Campbell (Swimming) while the Deputy Chair is Ken Wallace (Paddle) and remaining members are Andrew Charter (Hockey), Taliqua Clancy (Beach Volleyball), Jessica Fox (Paddle), Cameron Girdlestone (Rowing), Rachael Lynch (Hockey), Greta Small (Alpine Skiing), Brodie Summers (Freestyle Skiing - Moguls), Rowie Webster, (Water Polo) and Alex Winwood (Boxing).
History
Australia was represented by Edwin Flack at the 1896 Athens Olympics. Flack won two gold medals. In 1905, Richard Coombes became Australia's first International Olympic Committee member when he replaced New Zealander Leonard Cuff who represented Australasia. In 1914, the Olympic Federation of Australia and New Zealand (OFANZ) was established. In 1920, New Zealand left the OFANZ and the Australian Olympic Council was established with James Taylor being its first president. In 1923, Australian Olympic Council changed its name to the Australian Olympic Federation (AOF). In 1990, the AOF rescinded its constitution and became the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).
Australia has hosted two Summer Olympics: 1956 Melbourne Olympics and 2000 Sydney Olympics. Brisbane, Queensland made at bid for the 1992 Summer Olympics and Melbourne, Australia made a bid for the 1996 Summer Olympics. In June 2021, it was announced that Brisbane would host the 2032 Summer Olympics, marking Australia's third hosting of the games.
Administration
Presidents/Chair
James Taylor (1920–1944) Sir Harold Alderson (1944–1973) Sir Edgar Tanner (1973–1977) Sydney Grange (1977–1985) Kevan Gosper (1985–1990) John Coates (1990–2022) Ian Chesterman (2022–present)
Honorary Secretary/Secretary-General
George Shand (acting) (1920) Oswald G H Merrett (1921–1924) James S W Eve (1924–1947) Sir Edgar Tanner(1947–1973) Julius L Patching (1973–1985) Phillip Coles (1985–1993) Perry Crosswhite (1993–1995) Craig McLatchey (1995–2001) Robert Elphinston (2001–2004) Craig Phillips (2005–2014) Fiona de Jong (2014–2016)* Matt Carroll AM (2017–present)
*As of 2015, the Secretary General position is now known as chief executive officer.