Winter Olympics: Olympic champ Alisa Camplin-Warner becomes first female Chef de Mission for Winter Games
Olympic champion Alisa Camplin-Warner has set another record – this time as the first Australian woman to serve as Chef de Mission for a Winter Olympic team.
Olympics
Don't miss out on the headlines from Olympics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Olympic champion Alisa Camplin-Warner has etched herself another spot in the history book as the first Australian woman to serve as Chef de Mission for our Winter Olympic team.
The 49-year-old was also the first Australian woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal with her unforgettable aerial skiing performance at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.
Camplin-Warner hopes to follow on from the 2022 Beijing Games and guide the team to even more success at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games.
“To say I’m proud, humble and grateful to serve in this role is an understatement,” Camplin-Warner said.
“It really only occurred to me (on Wednesday) how fortunate I am to have had some big dreams in my life, representing Australia as a winter Olympian firstly back in 2002 and then the achieve the next dream I had of winning a gold medal at the Olympics and to back that up with a bronze four years later.
“And here I am now, 22 years later, achieving another dream which is to be a Chef de Mission of a Winter Olympic team for Australia.”
Camplin-Warner has a good understanding of what the role entails have previously worked as Chef de Mission for Youth Olympic Games and as the deputy Chef de Mission in 2022.
“I’ve served in many roles as an administrator since retiring as an athlete, but you never forget who you are as an athlete and what it takes to try to get to the Olympics, what it takes to perform under pressure at a games,” Camplin-Warner said.
“I always come with a mindset of what do the athletes need? What do the people behind the team need to serve the team best? How can I help the coaches to help the athletes?
“I’m really looking forward to bringing my experience and passion for excellence and performance to the Milano Cortina Games.”
Camplin-Warner said she would also have “many chats” with long time friend and Paris Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares before the 2026 Games.
“I’m all ears, I’m coming in for the first time as a Chef de Mission, but I feel ready. I don’t think you can ever know everything so I will take counsel from many people along the way, but I’m sure (Anna and I) will be chatting quite a lot,” she said.
Camplin-Warner said the athletes were excited to have the Games return to Europe after two Olympics in the Asian region.
“The last time our winter athletes were competing at a Games in Europe was 2006 – which was when I last competed myself,” she said.
“We believe it is going to be an amazing Games.”
It won’t just be having crowds back for the first time since Covid-19 or returning to Europe that will make the Games great for Australia.
Camplin-Warner is anticipating a result even greater than Beijing.
“We’ve just come off a record year, we had 15 athletes across eight different sports being home 52 World Cup or World Championships medals so it’s pretty exciting,” she said.
“If the athletes can keep doing what they do best that sets us up with a lot of hope or how we might do going into Milano Cortina.”
Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman said Camplin-Warner would bring an extraordinary level of experience to the team.
“She has been part of the leadership team at the past two Winter Games with Beijing 2022 proving to be the high mark for Australian winter sport with a record four medals and numerous results just off the podium,” Chesterman said.
“Alisa understands high performance and she understands how to create a positive Team culture. Most importantly she cares deeply about our athletes and the challenges they face to get to an Olympic Games and compete at the highest level.”
The Winter Olympics will run from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
More Coverage
Originally published as Winter Olympics: Olympic champ Alisa Camplin-Warner becomes first female Chef de Mission for Winter Games
‘We are incredibly excited’: Next Gen rugby 7s women turning heads
There were blowouts, close calls, a hot boot and multiple try-fectas in the opening round of the Next Gen Sevens rugby series in Sydney. Stars, great photos and Rd 1 result wrap.
Lions team bus delivers Ian Healy painful Gabba reality check
With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics approaching rapidly, Australian cricket great Ian Healy was left with a wry smile as the Brisbane Lions rolled into the AFL grand final at the MCG.