The Australian Olympic Committee has selected Queenslander Jake Lilley to the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo in the Finn class, completing the 13-strong sailing squad for Tokyo.
The 27-year-old will sail in his second Games, after finishing eighth at Rio 2016, with today’s announcement bringing Australia’s total of selected athletes to 96.
Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman congratulated Jake on making his second Olympic Team.
“To make it to back-to-back Olympics is a remarkable achievement,” Mr Chesterman said. “It shows a remarkable commitment to your sport and I am sure that Jake will take many of his lessons from Rio and apply them to Tokyo and a real benefit at his second Olympics.
“I wish him the very best over the final months of preparation and look forward to welcoming him to Tokyo in 93 days’ time.
“While Jake is competing in Europe, this is also a day to celebrate for his family, coaches, friends and supporters back home in Australia, as well as all of those at Australian Sailing, who have helped Jake become the sailor he is today.
“Today’s selection completes a very strong 13-person Sailing team we will take to Tokyo, and I look forward to seeing the squad strive to build on Australia’s incredible Olympic history in sailing at Enoshima Harbour in July.”
After a top eight finish at Rio, and multiple top 10 finishes on the world stage, Lilley is thrilled at the chance to do even better at Tokyo.
“It’s a good feeling to be honoured with the opportunity to represent our country and our sport,” Lilley said.
“We've worked quietly but earnestly back in Australia for over a year now. Between myself, coach Rafa Trujillo and training partner Anthony Nossiter, we are quietly confident of the work we've put in and what we can do but also have the utmost respect for the enormity of the mountain we are endeavouring to climb and crack the top step of the Finn Class podium at the Olympics.
“Time is a blessing in any Olympic campaign. We were grateful and appreciative for every day more and treated it as such.”
Australian Sailing President, Daniel Belcher, welcomed Lilley’s selection.
“We are ecstatic to have Jake round out a team that will leave our shores with high expectations,” said Belcher.
“They have been expertly led and prepared by Iain Murray and the Australian Sailing Team’s extended group of coaches and support staff.
“There is a fantastic balance of those we expect to bring home medals and those rising up the world rankings. We can’t wait to see what they do when the first starting gun fires on July 25.”
