Australian Olympic Committee joins our Thanks A Million: Pride of Australia campaign
The Australian Olympic Committee has joined our Thanks A Million: Pride of Australia campaign to honour workers within the Olympic family.
Thanks a Million
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The Australian Olympic Committee is saying thanks to its extended family, joining News Corp Australia’s Thanks A Million: Pride of Australia campaign to honour firefighters, medical staff and community workers within the Olympic family.
“Olympians, aspiring athletes, and the staff, volunteers and supporters that are the heartbeat of community sport in Australia have gone above and beyond in 2020 – and the Thanks A Million campaign lets us recognise their inspirational efforts throughout 2020,” said AOC chief executive officer Matt Carroll.
“Olympians worked on the frontline of the bushfire crisis and COVID pandemic, and athletes adapted to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, giving back to the community through volunteering with junior clubs, working with charities and mentoring young Australians.
“Olympic snowboarder Benny Mates helped fight fires on the NSW south coast; kayaker Jo Brigden-Jones traded in the kayak for an ambulance, working as a paramedic throughout the pandemic; paddler Tom Green started a charity to help kids in the foster system have access to technology needed for at-home learning and Beki Smith mentored young indigenous students.”
Mr Carroll said many athletes also went back to their junior roots, coaching and assisting young teams.
“Thank you to all those athletes and supporters who have kept Australians connected and active throughout the challenges of 2020 — you have shown the power of the Olympic spirit goes beyond the sporting field and made a real difference,” he said.
After spending the best part of the year treating and transporting confirmed COVID-19 patients across Sydney’s northern suburbs, sprint kayaker Brigden-Jones, 32, has now joined the Australian team at an elite team training facility at Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast, where they are finetuning preparations for Tokyo.
Other Olympians on the frontline include rowers Georgie Rose (nurse) and Josh Booth (trainee doctor), shooter Paul Adams (registered nurse) and kayaker Aly Bull (firefighter).
Brigden-Jones said there were no second thoughts shelving her Olympics dream to take part in a much greater battle.
“As an athlete, I was disappointed to have our Olympic dream postponed, but working on the frontline, and helping people at risk, gives you an appreciation for the bigger issue of community health,” she said.
Despite training six days a week, Brigden-Jones currently pulls two weekly paramedic shifts in Tweed Heads.
To nominate someone and say thanks, go to thanksamillion.net.au and they could receive a $200 Woolworths Gift Card.
Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions, visit thanksamillion.net.au
Originally published as Australian Olympic Committee joins our Thanks A Million: Pride of Australia campaign
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