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The Matt Caroll interview THE JOURNAL OF SPORT, LEISURE & RISK WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE November 2021

Exclusive Touchline Interview with performance on the medals and 3 bronze at these Games

Matt Carroll, one hand and, equally etched her place in the record books. Her
career tally makes her our greatest ever
importantly, the attitude and
Olympian. That happened at these Games.
approach of the team to the
Australian Olympic unique circumstances of the But stepping away from the medals and
results, the Team culture was outstanding.
Games?
They were unified and cohesive. They were
Committee CEO. A. We competed in 33 sports with a Team were very grateful for the opportunity to
thrilled just to have got to Tokyo and they
perform. Australia is very proud of them all.
comprised of 53% female competitors and
47% male. That’s a new high mark to have
so many Australian women represent their Q. Attention now moves
In an exclusive interview following the Australian team’s country at an Olympic Games. We also to the 2022 Winter Games
magnificent performance in Tokyo, Touchline caught up with CEO selected 16 Indigenous athletes to Tokyo,
of the Australian Olympic Committee, Matt Carroll AM, to get his another record – with the great Patrick in Beijing. Are the current
thoughts on the team’s achievements and where to from here. (Patty) Mills becoming our first Indigenous geopolitical tensions
Flag Bearer. Cate Campbell became the between Australia and China
Q. How would And yes, it was a challenge for the AOC first female swimmer to carry the Flag in
you describe to send nearly 1,000 athletes and support an Opening Ceremony. Because the Team a concern for the AOC and,
staff to a Games during a pandemic and
the Games and bring the team home safely through could not really mix with other countries if so, what impacts may the
due to COVID protocols, they turned to
what Japan quarantine across six jurisdictions without each other – athletes from all the different current situation have on the
and Tokyo one positive COVID result. sports mixing together far more than in Australian team?
were able to The friendly time zone and the difficult previous Games. A. We have no concerns at all. Our Team
deliver? circumstances in Australia with the We made the Village setup particularly is focused on performance and following

pandemic meant the Games shattered homely for them, right down to an in- the rules that will keep them safe in Beijing.
A. They were certainly a Games held in television and digital records. Australians house barista. They were very proud of it. The Playbook COVID rules are out now, so
challenging circumstances. Challenging embraced the Games in quite an And the scoreboard read well for us too. we know how to keep our team safe and it
for our hosts, Japan, to whom we extraordinary way. All that hard work The total of 17 gold medals equalled the will be very similar to Tokyo.
are extremely grateful. They held a undertaken by everyone was certainly previous high and the total medal tally of
magnificent event without the Japanese worth it. 46 was our third highest ever. In all, 99 Athletes aren’t an extension of foreign
people being able to attend. That was of those 486 athletes came home with a policy. They are athletes and they are
immensely disappointing for them Q. Australia was medal, an inspiration to 99 communities competing against the world’s greatest
because the Japanese people love sport. represented by the largest across Australia. The Team won gold winter athletes in Beijing. We have high
hopes for our team and we want to give
team at an off-shore Games medals in the new events including them every opportunity to perform on
It was challenging for the athletes to skateboarding and BMX freestyle and of
prepare for and qualify for these Games. and it would be difficult course Emma McKeon with her 4 gold their day.
But they showed great determination and to identify a team that has
resilience. From an Australian perspective, represented this country
the athlete feedback has been
extraordinarily positive. They bonded as with greater distinction, We competed in 33 sports with a Team comprised of
a team and loved the experience. Even modesty and gratitude. 53% female competitors and 47% male. That’s a new high
those who did not achieve their own goals What are your reflections mark to have so many Australian women represent their
have observed that the Tokyo Games on the Australian team’s country at an Olympic Games”.
were a wonderful experience.

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