Greta Small to mentor young Olympic Change-makers

Two-time Olympian Alpine skier Greta Small has today been announced as one of the six Olympians who will work with a selected group of high-achieving students to ensure a vital youth voice contributes to the Olympic conversation in Australia.

The 21 senior students have been honoured by the Australian Olympic Committee with the title of Australian Olympic Change-makers. The award recognises students who used the Olympic spirit to inspire positive change in their communities.

The recipients were selected by a panel of Olympians from more than 840 entries across the country. Over the next ten days they will participate in a three-session virtual national summit discussing how Australia could maximise community opportunities, should the Queensland bid for hosting the 2032 Olympic Games be successful. 

“I’m thrilled to be able to celebrate the achievements and work closely with the 2020 Change-Makers at the national summit,” Small said.

“Sport can play such a vital role in promoting equality, inclusion, wellbeing and advocating for healthy lifestyles.

 “It’s so important to listen to young people like these Change-Makers to not only provide a platform for them to learn and grow, but to give them a platform and voice to bring their ideas to the forefront. I’m excited to see the ideas and plans that will come from these young leaders throughout the summit.”

Small will be joined by Olympians Steve Solomon, Koti Ngawati, Jake Whetton, Steph Moorhouse and Ashleigh Brennan. The group will work with the Change-Makers across the national summit, before the students present their findings to AOC CEO Matt Carroll, Olympic champion and AOC Athletes’ Commission member Cate Campbell on 4 December.

Mr Carroll congratulated the Change-Makers and said the 21 students demonstrated how young people can lead the way in creating a better world through sport.

“I’m excited at the opportunity for these students to work with Olympians and hear their voice on the potential for a 2032 Olympic bid. Over the next decade these Change-Makers will be the planners, medical staff, engineers, builders, entrepreneurs, volunteers and community leaders that will be the heart of any Olympic program.”
 

Photo credit: OWIA - Kathy Watt