In partnership with the AOC, Westpac will be bringing the Summer Games to Australians across the nation as the Presenting Partner of Olympics Live – a national program of live sites planned for major capital cities and regional areas where Australians can come together in a moment of celebration.

Each live site will be unique to the community and will offer residents a place to watch the Olympics on a big screen, meet Olympians, enjoy Japanese cultural experiences and give Olympic sports a go.

Kicking off across the country from 24th July, many live sites are planned to be hosted by regional communities. Westpac will be working with local businesses and residents in each community to help cater and run the live events.

“We’re proud to be bringing the action, excitement and adrenalin of the 2020 Olympic Games to Aussie communities through our partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee,” David Lindberg, Westpac Chief Executive Consumer said.

“Supporters will be able to visit one of our live sites in major cities and regional areas across the country to cheer on our athletes and be part of the celebrations,” Mr Lindberg said.

As part of the AOC’s ongoing commitment to rural and regional Australia, the sporting equipment used at live sites will be donated to local sporting clubs, schools or community groups to help rebuild community spirit and a commitment to sport in these regions.

Matt Carroll AM, CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee said, “We’re excited to partner with Westpac to launch Olympics Live. The live sites across the country will not only encourage all Australian to cheer on the Team but offer the opportunity to connect with Olympic sports as participants. From our major cities, to clubs and communities, we will be encouraging people to embrace the Olympic spirit and the sports themselves with an Olympic Festival.

“With Westpac’s support we’re particularly excited at the possibility of bringing the Olympic spirit to regional communities. The Olympic spirit is about resilience, giving back and creating a positive legacy and we believe these are shared values amongst Australians and will help to energise and strengthen the efforts to rebuild regional communities.”

As the Official Banking Partner of the Australian Olympic Team, Westpac is also working with the AOC to help Olympians prepare for life during and after competition. Supporting the AOC’s Opportunities Program as the Financial Literacy partner, Westpac will help to create ‘financial essentials’ education tools in collaboration with Olympians and financial experts to support athletes with everything from getting on track with money management, staying on top of debt to learning how to save for a house.

“Beyond celebrating the Games, we also want to support the athletes. Helping Olympians prepare financially for life during and after competition is a great way that we can assist these Australian sporting stars,” continued Mr Lindberg.

Mr Carroll also discussed the importance of financial literacy and the opportunity for Olympians, “The Westpac partnership also offers the AOC the opportunity to help Olympians make better financial decisions to support their future.

“The Olympian Opportunities Program, now with the support of the Westpac, will produce a financial literacy program that will help Olympians build sound financial knowledge to help them plan their financial future. Balancing work, training, family and planning your financial future is particularly challenging for athletes. This innovative new program from Westpac is really going to help meet these challenges,” Mr Carroll concluded.

Jane Fruzynski, Kiera Gazzard, Kirsten Kinash and Rachel Presser will make their Olympic debut in Tokyo alongside Rio Olympians Hannah Cross, Emily Rogers, Amber Rose Stackpole and Amie Thompson, with Thompson and Stackpole also named to compete in the Duet event in Tokyo.

Australia are one of just ten nations qualified to contest the Team event in Tokyo, earning their quota with a strong performance at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Australian Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 Ian Chesterman said today’s selection was great recognition of the persistence and determination showed by the eight athletes.

“It is a privilege to announce the Artistic Swimming for Tokyo 2020 today,” Mr Chesterman said.

“These are all athletes from a relatively small sport who have worked so hard and sacrificed a great deal to make it to Tokyo and represent Australia at the Olympic Games.

“Their selection is not only a great personal achievement, but it will also inspire the next generation of artistic swimmers to pursue their goals towards Paris 2024, LA 2028 and hopefully Brisbane 2032.

“To those off to their second Olympics, welcome back to the Australian Olympic Team and to the four first timers, congratulations and welcome aboard.

“Making an Olympic Team is a remarkable achievement, and it has been the work of many that have made this possible, so my thanks go to families, friends, coaches, support staff and everyone at Artistic Swimming Australia who have played a vital role in reaching this milestone.

“I look forward to following the team’s progress in the upcoming months as they build towards Tokyo 2020.”

At 18 years-old, youngest member of the team Kiera Gazzard is ecstatic to make her Olympic debut.

“This is a lifelong dream of mine,” Gazzard said. “I vividly remember watching the Beijing Olympics when I was seven saying to my mum I want to go to the Olympics – I can’t believe I can now look back and say I’ve done it, I’ve made an Olympic Team.

“It’s been an amazing experience to go through the training and selection camps with a bunch of girls that I look up to and have for many years, and will now share an Olympics with them.

The Sydney based athlete has been participating in Artistic Swimming since she was eight.

“I love Artistic Swimming as it combines so many elements of art and sport. You get to express yourself creatively, but only by pushing yourself physically and executing precise technical manoeuvres. I learn something new every training session.” 

Rio Olympian and team co-captain Amie Thompson relocated from Sydney to Perth to follow her sporting dreams.

“Making this Team shows it’s about the journey and sacrifices we make, and that perseverance can end in this beautiful experience of the Olympic Games,” Thompson said.

“I had tried synchro when I was young and loved it, but there wasn’t a club near me. One day I found a flyer for a new club opening near us and it changed my life – if I hadn’t seen that flyer and given it a go I never would have been on this Olympic journey.”

The 24-year-old engineering student will contest the eight-person Teams event and the Duet with Amber Rose Stackpole.

“It feels so good to say I’m going to my second Olympics. It’s been fantastic to see the team grow and develop and be in the really strong place we’re in today, and I’m really excited to contest the Duet in Tokyo.

“While I love the performance aspect, making these incredible movements look effortless, I love the daily grind and small steps on the way. Achieving mini goals in a training session, sharing a laugh in a hard session with teammates, makes every day worth it.

“Sport has taught me when something goes wrong, I can deal with it piece by piece and overcome it - whether it’s a university assignment or something in daily life, there isn’t a challenge too big.”

Artistic Swimming Australia President Kim Davis congratulated the selected athletes on their milestone.

“Artistic Swimming Australia, in partnership with the AOC, is delighted to present the 2020 Olympic team,” Ms Davis said. “From here on forward, it is all about teamwork and perseverance for these eight athletes. 

“This is a seasoned team, four team members are Rio 2016 alumni, and ASAI is confident this experience will be met with success in Tokyo. Good luck to all the athletes in Tokyo, make Australia proud."
 

Today’s selection takes the announced Australian Team for Tokyo 2020 to 15 athletes of an expected 480-strong Team size.

Artistic Swimming made its Olympic debut in 1984 (named Synchronised Swimming) and is one of only two events that is female only at the Olympics.

Teams must perform a Technical routine of three minutes containing five technical elements that all teams must perform and a Free routine of four minutes that emphasises creativity and choreography.

What is Artistic Swimming?  

Artistic Swimming is a blend of acrobatics, swimming and dance, coordinated into a routine format and accompanied by music. Artistic swimmers require incredible strength, flexibility, grace, artistry and long underwater endurance.  

What is the difference between sychronised swimming and Artistic Swimming?  

There is no difference between sychronised swimming and Artistic Swimming, it is simply a name change. The name was changed by FINA in July 2017 in an attempt to rebrand the sport and boost its popularity, aligning it with similar disciplines such as gymnastics.  

When did Artistic Swimming make its Olympic debut? 

Artistic Swimming became an Olympic sport at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, featuring solo and duet events. In Atlanta 1996 the solo and duet events were replaced by an eight-person water ballet, however, since Sydney 2000 the Olympic program has included the team and duet event.

What Artistic Swimming events are on the program for Tokyo 2020? 

At Tokyo 2020, Artistic Swimming will have both a team event and a duet event. The team event is comprised of eight athletes, while, the duet is comprised of two athletes. Both events feature a technical routine, lasting a maximum 2 minutes 50 seconds, and a free routine which lasts three to four minutes. 

The technical routine requires athletes to execute a series of prescribed movements and positions, while the free routine has no required elements to perform, meaning there is a much greater emphasis on the creativity of choreography and movement. 

Alongside rhythmic gymnastics, artistic swimming is the only exclusively female Olympic sport.  

What is Australia’s best Olympic result in Artistic Swimming?  

Australia has participated in artistic swimming at every Olympic Games since its inception, except 1996. Australia’s best results have been: Team - seventh (2004); Duets - 13th by Donella Burridge/Lisa Steanes in 1984 and Lisa Lieschke/Semon Rohloff in 1988. 

How is Artistic Swimming judged?  

Routines are scored out of 100, with points awarded for execution, artistic impression and difficulty.  

Performers are scored by three panels, each comprising five judges. In the technical routine, one panel of judges scores athletes' technical execution, while another scores their choreography, use of music, synchronisation, difficulty and presentation. The third panel of judges scores the elements (five designated movements). 

In the free routine, one panel of judges scores athletes' execution, synchronisation and difficulty, while another scores their choreography, musical interpretation and presentation. The third panel scores difficulty. 

What is the size of the performance space?  

Swimmers are confined to a 12x12m competition area. The pool is just under 3 meters in depth, and swimmers are not permitted to touch the bottom throughout their performance.  

How long can the athletes hold their breath for?  

While some Artistic Swimmers can hold their breath for up to three minutes, most routines only require swimmers to hold their breath for up to one minute. Nose-clips are used to help the swimmers hold their breath while underwater, particularly while they are upside down. 

How do the athletes stay afloat in the water?  

Artistic swimmers must continuously tread water, using the eggbeater technique, throughout their performance to stay above the water. Competitors also use techniques such as sculling, in which they move their hands through the water to hold their position or move.  

How does an Artistic Swimmer's makeup and hair stay in place?  

Artistic Swimmer's layer on water-proof makeup so that the judges can clearly see their expressive faces throughout the performance. In addition, they use Knox gelatin in their hair, so it stays in place during their performance.

In this episode of Olympics Unleashed - Tokyo, presented by Optus, O’Hea shares the highs and lows of competitive basketball, from London 2012 Olympic Bronze to missing out on the Rio 2016 Team. 

She reflects on her work with the AIS Lifeline community custodians program, a cause close to her heart and also discusses what the next few months leading into Tokyo 2020 will look like for the Opals team.

You can listen to more Olympics Unleashed: Tokyo Podcasts HERE

• Australian health authorities have not implemented any travel restrictions in relation to Japan.
• The Australian Government does however recommend that travellers exercise a high degree of caution in Japan, due to a heightened risk of local transmission
• We remain vigilant and concerned - but it is important that people remain calm and act on the best health advice available. 
• We are continuing to plan on the assumption that the Tokyo Games are proceeding as planned.
• We are taking expert advice from the Commonwealth Department of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Japan Ministry of Health and Tokyo Games Organising Committee (TOCOG).  
• Dr David Hughes, AOC Medical Director for the Tokyo Games and Chief Medical Officer for the AIS also continues to provide regular advice.
• John Coates, as Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Tokyo Games is well placed to keep us informed.

Paddle: Australia’s paddlers claim triple gold and bronze at Australian Open Canoe Slalom

Rio Olympian Lucien Delfour and dual Olympic medallist Jessica Fox wrapped up the 2020 Australian Open Canoe Slalom in style, taking out gold in the Men’s K1 and Women’s C1 respectively.

It was the second gold medal for Fox, who earlier claimed the top spot in the Women’s K1 event.

 

 

 

 

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Congratulations to our K1 men & C1 women 2020 AUS Open medallists 🥇🥈🥉Well done all 🙌 📸 @jgrimages . . . #icfslalom #canoeslalom #whitewater #ausopen2020 #paddledownunder #planetcanoe

A post shared by AUS Paddle Team Sprint-Slalom (@auspaddleteam) on Feb 23, 2020 at 1:25am PST

Tasmanian Daniel Watkins also featured on the podium, winning bronze in the Men’s C1 event.

The event also doubled as the final Olympic selection event for Australia’s Canoe Slalom Men, with both Delfour’s and Watkin’s performances provisionally qualifying them a spot at Tokyo 2020.

Find out more HERE

Winter Sport: Back-to-back podiums for Peel and Anthony

Australia's winter athletes have continued to dominate the podiums, with aerial skier Laura Peel claiming gold and mogul skier Jakara Anthony adding bronze to her collection.

Improving upon her silver finish in Moscow last week, aerial skier Laura Peel has claimed gold in Belarus, her third podium appearance for the season. 

Over in Japan, the silverware kept coming for the Aussies, with Jakara Anthony claiming moguls bronze, her second consecutive podium for the season.

Read more HERE

 

 

 

 

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GOLD 🏅for Laura Peel in the @fisfreestyle aerials World Cup in Minsk! @the_snowgi scoring a career best 106.53 with a triple full-tuck-full! Amazing result Laura!!! 🏅🇦🇺🦘💪 📸: @aerialskier

A post shared by Olympic Winter Institute (@owi_aus) on Feb 22, 2020 at 12:22pm PST

Beach Volleyball: McHugh and Schumann win Gold in Asia again

Chris McHugh and Damien Schumann have taken out the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, defeating Austria’s Christopher Dressler and Alexander Huber in the gold medal game 21-16, 30-28.

The duo topped the podium for the second time in two weeks in their first two tournaments since being reunited as a playing pair, after taking out the Asian Championship in Thailand last weekend.

 

 

 

 

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GOLD FOR AUSTRALIA!! @damien_schumann and @mchuge89 have just won gold here in Cambodia! Unreal fight from the boys at the end and what a way to finish a 2 week tour! Gold at Asian Champs and Gold in Cambodia! #volley #beachvolleyball #volleyball #Cambodia #gold #ausvolley

A post shared by Volleyball Australia (@ausvolley) on Feb 23, 2020 at 1:17am PST

Find out more HERE

Shooting: Repacholi chases fifth Olympic Games after selection trials gold

Daniel Repacholi has staked an early claim for selection to Tokyo 2020 after winning the first men’s 10m Air Pistol final in the Tokyo Olympic Games pistol nomination event.

The four-time Olympian from Cessnock, NSW showed his class when scoring 240.1 points ahead of West Australians Bailey Groves (234.5) and Mike Giustiniano (211.9) at the Brisbane International Shooting Centre over the weekend.

In the women’s 25m Pistol final, Victoria’s Elena Galiabovitch (28 targets) claimed her second gold medal of the weekend when scoring a comfortable victory ahead of South Australia’s Alison Heinrich (21) and Queensland’s Civon Smith (16).

Read all about it HERE
 

Gymnastics: Aussies wrap up Melbourne Worlds with silver and bronze

Georgia Godwin and Mitchell Morgans claimed silver and bronze in the Uneven and Horizontal Bars respectively, after a solid weekend of competition at the Melbourne Gymnastics World Cup.

Godwin, who has provisionally qualified for Tokyo 2020 was the first Aussie to claim a medal, when she went head to head with Australian teammate, Georgia-Rose Brown in the finals of Uneven Bars.

Mitchell Morgans added a second medal for Australia, when he secured bronze on the High Bar.

You can find more results HERE

 

 

 

 

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Wrapping up the last day of the @gymnasticsworldcup, @middymorgs has landed on the podium securing a Bronze medal in the horizontal bar final! READ MORE on our website. #StartHereGoAnywhere #MelbWC20 #theais

A post shared by Gymnastics Australia (@gymaustralia) on Feb 23, 2020 at 3:42pm PST

Hockey: Kookaburras sneak above India in FIH standings

Four sublimely worked goals gave the Kookaburras a narrow 4-3 win over India in a frenzied FIH Pro League match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar on Saturday night.

Up 2-0 at half time courtesy of Dylan Wotherspoon and Tom Wickham, two third-quarter goals in quick succession from Lachlan Sharp and Jacob Anderson proved enough to maintain the Kookaburras’ impressive record in the subcontinent and hold off an Indian side that stormed home in the final 15 minutes.

However, the Aussies couldn’t replicate the performance 24-hours later, going down to India 3-1 in a penalty shootout on Sunday, after the scores were locked at 2-all at full time.

The result was still enough for the Kookaburras to jump above India into third place on the FIH Pro League standings, before they return home to Perth to face Argentina on 6/7 March.

Find out more HERE

Athletics: Aussies return to top form at Sydney Track Classic

High Jumper Brandon Starc equalled his best jump in 18 months, clearing 2.30 meters to take the gold at the Sydney Track Classic at Sydney Olympic Park on the weekend.

Hammer thrower Alex Hulley threw a 1.89cm PB of 70.55m – the longest distance thrown by an Australian female hammer thrower in 14 years.
 

Alex Hulley has thrown a massive PB and won the women’s hammer throw with 70.55 (PB!) at the Sydney Track Classic. ⁣
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2nd – Gwen Berry: 69.33m⁣
3rd - Lauren Bruce: 68.14m⁣
⁣#thisisathletics #summersuperseries ⁣ pic.twitter.com/IL5VhBCPdE

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) February 22, 2020

The 22-year-old is the third Australian to throw over 70m and is 57cm short of the Australian Record. Linden Hall won the Women’s 1500m in 4:05.16, while Jenny Blundell recorded her best time in four years - 4:05.35 – to finish second.

800m runners Peter Bol and Joseph Deng returned to their 2018-best form, with Bol taking the win in 1:45.85 with Deng just behind him in second with 1:45.89.

Both runners are chasing down the 1:45.20 Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifying time.

Peter Bol and Joseph Deng are back!! ⁣
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Pete has won the men’s 800m at the Sydney Track Classic in 1:45.85. ⁣
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With Joseph just behind him finishing in second in 1:45.89. ⁣
⁣#thisisathletics #summersuperseries ⁣ pic.twitter.com/mmt7mLLKum

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) February 22, 2020

See all the results from the Sydney Track Classic HERE

Sailing: Stransky in top ten after first day of Worlds

Mara Stansky finished the first day of the Laser Radial Worlds in ninth, overcoming difficult conditions in Melbourne.

 

 

 

 

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Stransky starts strong at Radial Worlds with top ten spot. Read the sail wrap in bio ☝️ #GoAusSailors 🇦🇺 #TokyoTogether #SailMelbourne #LaserSailing #ILCA #LaserWorlds #Laser2020 @laserclass @laserworlds2020 @sandringhamyachtclub @hamiltonisland @zhikaustralia 📷 @jonwest.photography

A post shared by Australian Sailing Team 🇦🇺⛵️ (@aussailingteam) on Feb 23, 2020 at 12:44am PST

Stransky battled through the shifty, light winds to record a keeper score, with racing continuing today in Melbourne.

Find out more HERE