Kitty Chiller won’t suffer fools as Australia’s new Chef de Mission

CHANNEL Seven’s Ryan Phelan learnt a harsh lesson about messing with Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller at an event in Sydney.

Don’t mess with our new Olympic boss

THE Australian Olympic Committee marked the one-year-to-go milestone to the Rio Games with a black-tie event in Sydney on Wednesday night.

A press conference was held earlier in the day to give the public the opportunity to hear from Rio-bound athletes like hurdler Sally Pearson and basketballer Joe Ingles and Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller.

A former pentathlete, Chiller replaces Oarsome Foursome rower Nick Green who filled the role in London after long-serving chief John Coates stood down after Beijing.

But in an unfortunate gaffe, Channel 7 sports presenter Ryan Phelan — who was hosting the event — introduced Chiller as “Kitty Chitter” as she walked to the stage at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay. Phelan tried to recover, joking “you can deal with me later” but he received a curt response. “I will,” Chiller replied.

It was met with laughter from the gathered media but it set a tone Australia’s first female Chef de Mission would continue as she outlined her expectations for our team next year.

As she spoke about topical issues like the water quality in Rio, doping in athletics and improving on a medal tally that plummeted to our lowest total in 20 years at London 2012, it was clear Chiller won’t suffer fools.

And it’s exactly what we need.

“If we’re to get to the top five the spread of medals needs to be greater. In Sydney we won medals across 20 sports, in London it was across just 13 sports,” she demanded. “Much has been said about the swimmers, and yes we’re following their results ... but if we’re to succeed in Rio other sports need to step up.”

Chiller listed equestrian, shooting, taekwondo and beach volleyball as sports Australia medalled in as part of a landmark haul at Sydney 2000 that needed to return to the podium.

A 12-time national champion in the modern pentathlon, Chiller was forced to wait until she was 36 to compete at an Olympic Games because the event wasn’t included for women until Sydney. She proved her toughness by battling through a knee injury that required a reconstruction after the Games.

It’s this commitment that makes her a perfect leader for an Australian team that endured its fair share of controversy in London. Chiller is encouraging athletes to “have fun, be a bit of a larrikin, that’s the Australian way” but also to “show respect for your fellow athletes”. And don’t expect a cover-up if you’re caught doing the wrong thing.

“We’ll have incidents. I’d be naive to think we won’t with a team of up to 800 athletes and officials and we’ll deal with those incidents if and when they arise,” Chiller said. “We won’t be shy, we won’t be trying to hide and sweep things under the carpet. In these days of social media there are no secrets.”

She also sent a clear message to prospective drug cheats after recent allegations of widespread doping in athletics.

“If you dope — to be blunt if you cheat — and you’re a member of the Australian Olympic team we will name, shame and put you on a plane. The same goes for anyone in the team who falls for the temptation of getting involved in illegal betting. That is also a shortcut to the airport,” Chiller said.