Our Victorian Institute of Sport supported athletes will make up 11% of the 474-strong team Australian Team, which is set to create history for many different reasons.
The team of VIS selected athletes consists of 29 women and 23 men, who will compete across 17 different sports.
The largest sport to be represented in Tokyo by VIS scholarship holders will be athletics, with 14 a part of the largest ever Athletics team, while rowing (10) and shooting (5) are also well represented.
Excitingly, VIS supported athletes will compete in two of the sports making their debut in Tokyo, skateboarding and sport climbing.
Victorian Institute of Sport Chief Executive Officer Anne Marie Harrison paid tribute to all the selected athletes who have had to overcome so many obstacles and uncertainties in order to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games.
“The journey to these Games has been extraordinary and we congratulate all those who have been selected to represent Australia. They have shown resilience and determination to keep motivated and train, with many innovative approaches being adopted and different paths to achieve their dream.
Unfortunately for some, the path does not see them heading to Tokyo and we pay our respect for their efforts and acknowledge their disappointment.
I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the amazing team at the VIS who have supported the athletes over the past 5 years and thank them for their passion and dedication.
All athletes go with our best wishes, in the knowledge that we are extremely proud of their endeavours and will be cheering loudly for them from VIS HQ”
There will also be 22 past/graduate VIS scholarship holders competing as well as 35 other Victorian athletes. This means that overall, 109 Victorians will represent Australia in Tokyo, making up 23% of the team.
We are also delighted to announce that we have a number of VIS staff members/contractors travelling with the Olympic Team, including two physiotherapists, a sports dietitian, sports psychologist and a soft tissue therapist, along with many who are supporting athletes in their final training camps and preparations before they depart for Tokyo.
Click HERE to find out more about the Victorian Institute of Sport athletes heading to Tokyo.
Image: (Left) Laetisha Scanlan, Brooke Stratton & Milly Tapper Credit: Alex Coppel / @alexcoppel / Herald Sun
