Fox and Watts join AOC Athletes’ Commission

NSWIS athletes Jess Fox and Shelley Watts have been elected by members of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team onto the Australian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, to serve as the voice of Australian Olympians over the next four years.

Fresh off their Rio campaigns, slalom paddler and two-time Olympic medallist Fox, and boxer Watts, are the two new women on the commission.

The AOC’s Athletes’Commission includes eight summer and two winter athletes as well as IOC Athletes’ Commission member, James Tomkins.

The Athletes’ Commission provides advice to the AOC Executive on all matters relating to the Olympic Movement from an athlete’s perspective.

After winning a stunning London 2012 silver medal in the K1, Fox added to her collection with a bronze medal in Rio.

She said she looks forward to contributing to future Olympic teams.

“I’m really proud and excited to be a part of it and humbled to be voted in by my teammates alongside some great athletes,” the 22-year-old Fox said.

“I would like to be able to contribute ideas that could enrich the experience and performance of our athletes from all different sports before, during and after the Olympics.

“I am also interested in the growth of the Youth Olympic Games and transition into the Olympic team.”

Joining Fox, is 29-year-old Watts. She describes her first Olympic experience as amazing, despite losing a challenging first round bout in Rio. She said it was an honour to be nominated to the commission by her fellow athletes.

“To see my face on the wall with such amazing other athletes was a little surreal,” Watts said.

“To know that my fellow teammates felt comfortable enough to vote for me to be their voice is something really special to me.”

Born and bred in the small country town of Laurieton, NSW, Watts believes the commission allows athletes to have voice within the Olympic movement and the AOC.

“As an athlete, your best interests are of the utmost importance and are so vital for success.

“To know that there will be teammates who can have a say in important decisions, who have been there and done it and know what may and may not be helpful is really important.”

The NSWIS duo join fellow newly elected member Jamie Dwyer (hockey) and five returning commission summer members – Steve Hooker (athletics), Cate Campbell (swimming), Kim Brennan (rowing), Alana Boyd (athletics) and Ken Wallace (canoe sprint) who were all re-elected at the Rio Games.

Lydia Lassila and Ramone Cooper represent the winter athletes on the commission.

The group will next meet in late October, where the Chair and Deputy Chair will be elected.