Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook OAM has been named on a five-strong Australian Swim Team Athlete Leadership Group set to guide the Dolphins through to the Paris Olympic Games.
ZAC ATTACK: Zac Stubblety-Cook a leader both in and out of the pool. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
Swimming Australia today announced Stubblety-Cook OAM, fellow Olympic medallists Madison Wilson OAM and Tamsin Cook, and Tokyo team mate Jenna Strauch with World championship Open Water swimmer Bailey Armstrong becoming the first marathon swimmer to be named on the Group, for the shortened Olympic campaign cycle to 2024.
The accomplished quintet emerged as the new Leadership Group following a nomination and voting process from their fellow Dolphins athletes.
The new breed of leaders take over the mantle from Bronte Campbell OAM, Cate Campbell OAM, Alex Graham, Jess Hansen and Mitch Larkin with Swimming Australia today acknowledging their service and contribution as the Leadership Group for the Tokyo campaign.
Dolphins Leaders are tasked with contributing to a team dynamic, environment and experience that reflects the team values of Courage, Unity and Excellence.
The responsibility and respect for the role was also not lost on Tokyo Gold medallist Stubblety-Cook.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be voted in as an Athlete Leader for the Paris cycle. The Leaders of the past have truly created a legacy that I hope we will only further grow and foster, continuing to take a person first approach and living by the philosophy of ‘we make each other better’,” said Stubblety-Cook, who won Australia’s first Olympic 200m breaststroke gold since Ian O’Brien in 1964.
LEADER OF THE PACK: Madi Wilson. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
As with dual Olympian, four-time medallist Wilson who said she was honoured to help lead the way as the team prepares to deliver something special in the coming years.
“I’ve been a part of this Dolphins environment for some time now and I’m really passionate about the wonderful team we have created in recent years and incredibly proud of the values and culture this group represents,” Wilson said.
Preparing for her third Olympic campaign, Cook agrees the new Leadership Group will continue the rich legacy of their predecessors.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be representing my peers as an Athlete Leader for the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle. The Leadership Group has always strived to create an environment where every Dolphin feels supported, valued, and prepared to perform at their absolute best and I am excited to continue this legacy with the next generation,” Cook said.
Strauch made her Olympic debut in Tokyo and said it was a privilege to be appointed to the position and work alongside such great athletes.
LEADERSHIP HONOUR: Jenna Strauch. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
“The Dolphins swim team is full of exceptional men and women who all bring unique and admirable traits to the team both in and out the pool. As a member of the Leadership team, I hope to foster the culture that has been developed before us and continue to enrich the careers and lives of the Dolphin athletes,” Strauch said.
In a reflection of the growing stature of the discipline at an Olympic level, Armstrong said it was humbling to become the first open water athlete to join the Leadership Group.
“I am very honoured to be representing Australia’s athletes and the sport of marathon swimming as we continue to improve on our successes of Tokyo. It’s great to see the Dolphins pool and open water teams working together and becoming a combined force as we strive towards the common goal of success in Paris 2024,” said Armstrong, recently named on the Australian Open Water World Championship team for Budapest.
Australian Dolphins Head Coach, Rohan Taylor, believes all five athletes not only embody those core values, but live them in the daily training environment.
“Making each other better is at the core of everything we do as a team and our new Leaders will ensure that ethos remains central to the Dolphins through the unique qualities they each bring to the role,” Taylor said.
OPEN WATER FIRST: Bailey Armstrong the first open water swimmer named on the Dolphins Leadership Group. Photo Courtesy:
“Our previous Leaders worked closely with the entire athlete cohort in the evolvement of our culture in recent years and I know this new group will relish the responsibility of continuing that legacy to create a sustainable environment for all who have the privilege of representing the Dolphins.”
With Swimming Australia High Performance Director, Tamara Sheppard, congratulating the group and welcoming their appointment.
“It is always a privilege to be appointed a Leader of your peers and this group of Athlete Leaders recognise and are excited by both the opportunities and challenges presented by this role,” Sheppard said.
“Our Tokyo Leaders have left a tremendous legacy and we thank them for their contribution and their ongoing support of our new Paris Leadership Group.”
The Dolphins attention now rests firmly on a busy competitive schedule in the coming months, starting at the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide from May 17-22 at the SA Aquatic And Leisure Centre (which will be televised LIVE on Amazon Prime), followed by the FINA World Championships in Budapest (June 18-July 3) and Birmingham Commonwealth Games (July 28-August 8).