Australia's third largest Winter Olympic Team and record percentage of women will represent Australia at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.
The Australian Olympic Committee has announced 44 athletes to compete across 10 disciplines, with 23 women and 21 men.
Women make up 52.3% of the Team, topping the Sochi 2014 figure of 51.7% as the highest female representation in Australian Winter Olympic history.
Snowboarder Scotty James and mogul skier Britt Cox will both compete at their fourth Olympics, joining just six other Australians to ever compete at four or more Winter Games.
Twelve (12) athletes will compete at their third Olympics, 10 athletes return for their second while 20 athletes will make their Olympic debut.
With an average age of 25.43, the team features four teenagers, with snowboarder Valentino Guseli the youngest at just 16.
Freestyle Skiing, which incorporates Moguls, Aerials, Freeski and Ski Cross is the largest team with 13 athletes, followed closely by Snowboard with 11.
Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt make history as Australia’s first Olympic curlers, while Bree Walker will contest the women’s monobob as it makes its Olympic debut.
Sisters Sophie (Moguls) and Gabi (Aerials) Ash will also become the first Australian sisters to compete on the same Australian Winter Olympic Team.
Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team for Beijing Mr Geoff Lipshut celebrated the achievements of the athletes in realising their Olympic dream.
“Congratulations to all 44 athletes selected for the Australian Winter Olympic Team for Beijing,” Mr Lipshut said.
“All of these athletes have shown not just remarkable skill and tenacity in achieving their Olympic qualification on the snow and ice, but incredible resilience to overcome the challenges the pandemic has posed to them throughout this Olympic cycle.
“To make it to the starting line is a true achievement and I want to pay credit to all of these athletes.
“I also want to pay tribute to those athletes who may not have qualified due to the challenges of the pandemic – your contribution to your sport, your teammates and this Team will not be forgotten.
“From Scotty James and Britt Cox joining rare air as four-time Olympians, to the 20 athletes donning an Olympic uniform for the first time, this Team will represent Australia with pride.
“We saw the impact an Australian Olympic Team can have on the nation last July and I know millions of Australians will be inspired and uplifted by this Winter Team. With athletes from Townsville to outback Western Australia, from metro capitals to the regions, these 44 athletes are fantastic ambassadors for our country and for winter sport.”
Mr Lipshut says the Australian Olympic Committee is focused on creating a performance environment for athletes in Beijing.
“Our job is to get the athletes to the Games and give them the opportunity to have their best day on their biggest day.
“If we can provide an environment that lets the athletes focus on doing what they do best, we know good results will follow, whether that’s a podium or a personal best.”
Mr Lipshut also paid tribute to the enormous input of Winter Member Federations, Federal and State sporting institutes, governments, AOC staff and volunteers.
“While there will be 44 athletes realising their Beijing Olympic dream in Beijing, there is an enormous team behind each and every one that has made this possible.
“This Games cycle has thrown up enormous logistical complexities, for athletes to train, travel and compete in such a challenging environment.
“Each of the sports has been able to employ agile plans that have allowed these athletes to compete and qualify for the Games.
“Thank you to the Winter Member Federations, Australian Institute of Sport and state sport institutes, federal and state governments and the support staff, coaches, friends and families that have made this Olympic dream a reality for 44 young Australians.”
“Thank you to the AOC sponsor family, for your ongoing support through what has been such a challenging environment for you as well. Through your support, 44 young Australians will get to represent Australia in Beijing, and millions of Australians will be inspired by the power of the Olympic spirit.”
Now the 44-person Team is confirmed, the AOC is encouraging the Australian public to share their 'good luck' messages. Record a video or take a picture and submit it here or post on social media including the tags #ChasingWinter and @AUSOlympicTeam.
Australia Team Fun Facts – At a Glance
- TEAM SIZE OVER TIME 60 – Sochi 2014 51 – PyeongChang 2018 44 – Beijing 2022 40 – Torino 2006 40 – Vancouver 2010
- BEIJING 2022 TEAM SIZES 13 – Freestyle Skiing (Aerials, Moguls, Ski Cross, Freeski) 11 – Snowboard (Snowboard Cross, Park & Pipe) 6 – Cross-Country Skiing
- MOST WOMEN AT GAMES BY NUMBERS 31 – Sochi 2014 23 - Beijing 2022 23 - PyeongChang 2018 20 - Vancouver 2010
- MOST WOMEN AT GAMES BY % 52.3% - Beijing 2022 51.7% – Sochi 2014 50% - Vancouver 2010 48% - Salt Lake City 2002 45% - PyeongChang 2018
- NUMBER OF GAMES 4th – 2 athletes 3rd – 12 athletes 2nd – 10 athletes Debut - 20 athletes
- MOST OLYMPICS GAMES – WINTER 6 - Colin Coates (Speed Skating: 1968 - 1988) 5 - Lydia Lassila (Aerial Skiing: 2002 - 2018) 5 - Jacqui Cooper (Aerial Skiing: 1994 - 2010) 4 - Holly Crawford (Snowboard: 2006-2018) 4 – Adrian Costa (Moguls: 1992 – 2002) 4 - Zali Steggall (Alpine Skiing: 1992-2002) 4 – Britt Cox (Moguls: 2010 – 2022) 4 – Scotty James (Snowboard: 2010 – 2022)
Olympic Milestones
Britt Cox and Scotty James selected for fourth Games. They join a group of just six previous Australian winter athletes to have attended four or more Games.
Scotty James is the first male and second athlete (behind Holly Crawford) to attend four Games in Snowboard.
Britt Cox selected for her fourth Games in Moguls equalling the most by an Australian with Adrian Costa (1992-2002).
Phil Bellingham selected for third Games in Cross Country Skiing, equalling the most by an Australian with Anthony Evans (1992-1998) and Esther Bottomley (2006-2014).
Brendan Kerry selected for third Games in Figure Skating equalling the most by an Australian with Cameron Medhurst (1984-1992), Danielle Carr-McGrath (1992-1998) and Stephen Carr (1992-1998).
Alex Ferlazzo’s third Olympic appearance in the Luge is the most by an Australian.
Sami Kennedy-Sim third Olympic appearance in the Ski Cross is the most by an Australian.
Jackie Narracott selected for her second Games in Skeleton equals the most by an Australian.
Olympic Family Connections
Sophie Ash (Moguls) and Gabi Ash (Aerials): first sisters to compete on the same Australian Winter Olympic Team.
Sami Kennedy-Sim (Freestyle Skiing): Husband - Ben Sim (Cross-Country Skiing) 2010
Jackie Narracott (Skeleton): Uncle - Paul Narracott 1984 (Summer - Athletics) & (Bobsleigh) 1992; Husband - Dominic Parsons (Skeleton - GBR) 2014 & 2018 (bronze)
Brendan Kerry (Figure Skating): Mother - Monica MacDonald (Figure Skating) 1988
Lars Young Vik (Cross-Country Skiing): Uncle - Bjarte Engen Vik (Cross-Country Skiing - NOR) 1994 (silver & bronze) & 1998 (2 x gold)
Belle Brockhoff (Snowboard Cross): Uncle - Peter Brockhoff (Alpine Skiing) 1960 & 1964
Sport/Disciplines
Australia will compete in 10 sports/disciplines: Bobsleigh, Skeleton, Luge, Curling, Freestyle Skiing, Short Track Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Cross-Country Skiing, Alpine Skiing and Snowboard.
Australia will not be competing in Biathlon, Ice Hockey, Ski Jumping, Speed Skating and Nordic Combined.
Australia makes its debut in Curling.
Age
Average age is 25.43 years.
Valentino Guseli (Snowboard Halfpipe), aged 16 years 315 days when he competes, is the fifth youngest ever male selected.
Four teenagers on the team:
- 16 – Valentino Guseli (Snowboard Halfpipe)
- 18 – Hugo Hinckfuss (Cross-Country Skiing)
- 19 – Josie Baff (Snowboard Cross)
- 19 - Abi Harrigan (Freestyle Skiing)
The Games
- Around 2800 athletes will compete, from more than 90 countries. There will be 109 medal events in 15 disciplines.
- Beijing becomes the first city to host both a Winter and Summer Olympics
- All venues will be powered by 100% renewable energy
- 7 out of 12 venues are legacy venues from Beijing 2008, including the iconic Bird’s Nest National Stadium, which will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies; and the Water Cube, which will host curling
- There will be seven new events: women’s monobob, freestyle skiing big air (men’s and women’s), and mixed team events in short track speed skating team relay, ski jumping, freestyle skiing aerials and snowboard cross
- There will be three Competition Zones:
Beijing will host all the ice events (Curling, Ice Hockey and Skating) and two snow events (Snowboard Big Air and Freeski Big Air)
Yanqing, a suburban district of Beijing 80km to the northwest, will host the Alpine Skiing and sliding (Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge) events
Zhangjiakou, further to the northwest in the neighbouring Hebei province, will host all the other snow events (Snowboard, Freestyle Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined and Biathlon) in its Chongli district
