Former athletics golden girl steps up to lead the sport with an eye on 2032
Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion Jane Flemming is the new president of Athletics Australia (AA) and says she will work to maximise the potential of the sport in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.
Jane Flemming (right) is seen during the Sydney Airport 100 Year Gala Event at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Thursday, October 31, 2019. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) NO ARCHIVING
Flemming succeeds outgoing president Jan Swinhoe, who ends her nine-year maximum term on the AA board.
Vice president for the past four years, Flemming was unanimously appointed following the organisation’s annual general meeting on Friday.
Existing board members Jill Davies and Brian Miller were elected as the organisation’s new vice presidents, while John Lamont and Dr Anna Cicognani joined the executive.
Flemming, whose Commonwealth heptathlon record of 6695 points – set when she won gold at the Auckland 1990 Games – still stands, said it was an “absolute honour” to lead the sport.
“The sport of athletics has everything going for it – the biggest participation sport in the world, a truly global sport, diverse and inclusive, with literally no barriers to participation,” the 58-year-old said in a statement.
“It is also a sport that has led the way with regard to gender equality.
“The priority of the Board now is to maximise all that is great about our sport on the runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
“The opportunity of a home Games enables a reset for all within our sport – a chance for athletes, coaches, officials, along with key stakeholders, alumni and management to align and work in unison to one shared vision.”
Flemming represented Australia at three Commonwealth and two Olympic games between 1986 and 1994 also winning gold in the long jump in Auckland in 1990.
