The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) today announced the appointment of Greg Nance as Director, Security Liaison to the 2012 Australian Olympic Team.

Mr Nance is currently the Director, Sports Development at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), a position that involves responsibility for Sport Services and Sports Capability Building including National Talent Identification and Development, and high performance/participation planning. Immediately prior to this position Mr Nance was CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia for 10 years.

He recently led a ‘Security and Sport Industry Seminar’ for National Sporting Organisations in Australia. Using knowledge of coming events (such as the Commonwealth Games) and in assessing recent overseas experiences, the ASC and DFAT facilitated the seminar to bring together the sporting industry to discuss relevant security issues, including sports planning and management of security.

In his former life, Mr Nance was an officer in the Australian Army, serving in the Royal Australian, Commando and Special Air Service Regiments and other operations staff appointments, as well as postings with the US Marine Corps and US Army.

“Greg’s army background and the role he is playing on behalf of the Australian Sports Commission on security planning for the 2010 Commonwealth Games Team and for sports generally makes him the ideal addition to the Australian Team,” AOC President John Coates said.

In his role Greg will liaise for the Team on security with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Federal Police, the Australian High Commission in London and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

“Greg will play a vital role in ensuring our Team has the best possible security advice in the lead up to the London Games and during the event,” Coates said. “Through his role at the Australian Sports Commission, he will also add tremendous value to Team preparations generally.”