Australia’s oldest living Olympian Gordon Ingate (98) shares the limelight with Tokyo champions Emma McKeon and Jess Fox, Boomers’ talisman Patty Mills, Matildas captain Steph Catley along with track great Raelene Boyle, hockey legend Ric Charlesworth, diving veteran Mel Wu competing in her fifth Games in Paris and surfer Jack Robinson who will make his Olympic debut.
The group represents the great diversity of Australian Teams including generations, eras, sports, and cultures.
The Oath is an initiative of the AOC Athletes’ Commission. It was first conceived ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games with the aim of providing an enduring reflection of the culture, values and unique place Olympians hold in Australian society.
AOC President Ian Chesterman thanked all the Olympians for their desire to perpetuate the Olympic spirit, no matter in which era they had competed.
“When Olympic champion pole vaulter Steve Hooker first proposed the idea of an Oath binding all Olympians and sought their views, the engagement of the alumni and current athletes was immediate.
“There was a depth of feeling in the responses and such careful consideration around the words, you knew that a chord had been struck with Olympians, irrespective of their generation and their sport,” Mr Chesterman said.
AOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Cate Campbell says the Oath binds Olympians together, setting expectations for the Team and reflecting what it means to be Australian.
“Olympians are very proud of the culture, values and traditions of the Olympic movement. The Oath is a tangible expression of this pride.
“When we recited it for the first time leading into the Tokyo Games, we knew it was a watershed moment. Olympians were scattered across Australia and around the world, but this Oath brought us together in that moment.
“The words came together after extensive consultation with Olympians five years ago before the final version was settled on. My predecessor Steve Hooker did such a wonderful job of bringing this to life, including consultation with the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee,” she said.
Each of the nine athletes delivers a line from the Oath in the video, released today as part of Olympic Day celebrations right across the globe.
Melissa Wu says representing Australia at a 5th Olympics is a huge honour.
“Every Olympics is different and what it means to me is different each time. Paris will be extra special because of the grit, determination and strong mindset it’s taken for me to get there. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to compete on the world stage at the highest level once again.”
Gordon Ingate, who delivers the last line in the video, still sails at the age of 98. He made his only Olympic appearance in Munich 1972 aged 46.
His Olympic moment came long after his employer refused to grant him time off to represent Australia at the London Games in 1948.
“When he learned how long I’d be away, he told me ‘no way, son’ so I didn’t go to London.
“Winning selection and wearing the Australian uniform for Munich in 1972 gave me a huge amount of satisfaction. It was close to my heart. I was part of a very good group of Australian sailors. Finally, I was a member of the Australian Olympic Team,” he said.
