TOGETHER DUNBAR WSL / MATT FOR TOKYO MARTIN PAKULA MP The countdown to the 2020 Olympic and Pursuit teammates obliterated their own netball star Liz Watson. I hope this Paralympic Games is well and truly on world record on the way to winning the can become a regular highlight on the and judging by the performances of our gold medal at the 2019 UCI Track World calendar. athletes, Victoria is on track Championships in Poland in March – with Looking ahead to July 2020, there is a lot to deliver an inspiring performance in their prospects of gold in Tokyo looking to look forward to when the competition Tokyo. bright. commences in Tokyo and our Victorian The dedicated coaches and support Para cycling duo Alistair Donohoe and athletes go up against the best from teams who work alongside the Emily Petricola were crowned world across the world. competitors similarly deserve our champions in their respective events at I know that they will do us proud and admiration, as does everyone connected the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World it will be due in no small part to the with our world-class institute. Championships in the Netherlands. industry-leading programs of the VIS. Commitment to competition and Oceana Mackenzie made history In table tennis, the legendary Melissa excellence begins at a young age, and at the first Bouldering World Cup Tapper secured a spot for Australia at our investment in grassroots sport in Switzerland, becoming the first the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics when she since 2014 has been the biggest in Australian female to make the final of won gold at the Arafura Games earlier Victorian history with more than $850 a Sport Climbing World Cup. With sport this year. million flowing directly to our local climbing making its debut on the Olympic clubs and communities. Our champions program in Tokyo, she will be one to Another highlight in recent months MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR SPORT 3 of tomorrow will benefit from this watch. was the VIS Open Day in April, where investment as they rise through junior the Institute opened its doors for the More history will be made when Hayley MESSAGE FROM THE CEO 4 ranks to the elite level. first time in its 30-year history. More Wilson ramps up her bid for a world-first than 600 visitors toured the world- Kim Brennan was one of those Olympic skateboarding gold medal. TOKYO SUMMER GAMES 5 class facility to explore, experiment and youngsters who graduated through Sinead Diver qualified for Tokyo after learn about what it takes to be an elite GAME OF FIRSTS junior ranks in Victoria before joining the 6 a brilliant seventh place in the London performer. VIS and winning rowing gold at the 2016 Marathon. Her time of 2:24:11 was a TOKYO TASTER 7 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Now Kim has I’d like to thank the volunteers who personal best and made her the third- been appointed Australia’s Deputy Chef helped out at the event, including fastest Australian female marathon FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER…COOLER! 8 de Mission for Tokyo. champion swimmer Mack Horton and runner in history. netball star Liz Watson. I hope this There have been many highlights from FROM MANSFIELD TO THE WORLD 10 In table tennis, the legendary Melissa can become a regular highlight on the our athletes in recent months. VERTICAL LIFE OCEANA MACKENZIE Tapper secured a spot for Australia at calendar. 11 Snowboard halfpipe sensation Scotty the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics when she Looking ahead to July 2020, there is a lot James had a freakishly good season, won gold at the Arafura Games earlier TEAM BEHIND THE ATHLETE 12 to look forward to when the competition winning six out of six events to claim a this year. commences in Tokyo and our Victorian third consecutive world title. KIM BRENNAN 13 Another highlight in recent months athletes go up against the best from Dylan Alcott continued to show why was the VIS Open Day in April, where across the world. KATE DOUGHTY 14 he is number one in the world, winning the Institute opened its doors for the I know that they will do us proud and an unprecedented fifth consecutive first time in its 30-year history. More SINEAD DIVER it will be due in no small part to the 15 Australian Open quad wheelchair than 600 visitors toured the world- industry-leading programs of the VIS. singles title and then adding the French class facility to explore, experiment and Open crown in June. With wheelchair learn about what it takes to be an elite tennis set to feature at Tokyo, it will be performer. sensational to watch Dylan take to the court. I’d like to thank the volunteers who helped out at the event, including Kelland O’Brien and his Australian Team champion swimmer Mack Horton and 2 July 2019 | | July 2019 3 ANNE MARIE HARRISON We all share in the excitement of the Liverpool throughout July and we extend We will roll our sleeves up to analyse build up with One Year to Go to the our congratulations to Melbourne Vixens and assess our role and impact with our The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will not only inspire the world with phenomenal Olympic and Paralympic Games in teammates; Jo Weston, Caitlin Thwaites National and State Sporting Organisation athletic performances, but will bring new audiences to the Games and their values. The exciting Tokyo and this edition of “The Pinnacle” and newly appointed Vice Captain Lizzy partners with a view to making decisions new gender-balanced, youth and urban sports will deliver a unique experience to athletes and commences the countdown with Watson on their selection into the in March/April next year. fans of all ages. Here are some interesting facts about the 2020 Games: the launch of our #Together4Toyko Diamonds. To Lisa Alexander and all the In closing, I extend a warm welcome to campaign. We hope to engage the high team we send our positive energy for a our new Minister for Sport the Hon Martin • Japan is no stranger to the Olympics, baseball (men)/softball (women), • Competition venues will be spread performance and Victorian community successful outcome #GoDiamonds. Pakula. Martin is also Minister for Racing, with the country having already karate, sport climbing, surfing, and into two themed areas, the “Heritage” with our athletes and staff as we Whilst the immediate and medium term Jobs, Innovation and Trade, Tourism and hosted three Games with the 1964 skateboarding. Baseball, being and the “Tokyo Bay” zones, and many embark on the journey. are very important, we are also taking Major Events. With his busy portfolio, Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the 1972 something of a national obsession, of the venues used in the 1964 Tokyo The second half of this year will see a longer view of the horizon from a fortunately for all of us, the Minister is Winter Olympics in Sapporo and the and karate, with its origins in the Olympics will be put to good use World Championships and qualification management and Board perspective and a sports fan and enthusiast. We look 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. Ryukyu Islands (in modern-day again in 2020 as legacy venues. These events across a range of sports and in conjunction with the AIS and other forward to working with him to continue The 2020 Summer Olympics officially Okinawa Prefecture), are particularly include the Nippon Budokan, where we wish all athletes the best in their State Institutes and Academies are to inspire all Victorians through our great known as the Games of the XXXII significant additions. judo made its debut as an Olympic endeavours. This year also sees the already planning for our business post athletes and their international sporting Olympiad will take place in Tokyo • There will be a total of 22 Paralympic sport. The flagship Olympic Stadium Netball World Cup being hosted in Tokyo. success. from 24 July to 9 August 2020. sports featured in the 2020 Games, will be new but is being built on the • The Paralympics will be held from 25 including athletics, swimming, table same ground as the original 1964 August - 6 September 2020 and Tokyo tennis, wheelchair basketball, and venue. will be the first city ever to host the wheelchair rugby. The two new sports • With the Games being held at the Paralympic Games on two separate of badminton and taekwondo will height of the Tokyo summer, they occasions. In 1964, 378 athletes from replace sailing and seven-a-side are expected to be the hottest ever 21 countries competed in nine sports football. and sweltering conditions could – the first time a Paralympic Games • The official motto for the 2020 Tokyo pose a threat to both athletes and had been held in Asia. Games is “Discover Tomorrow.” spectators. The host city is taking steps to try to keep athletes and • Tokyo 2020 will see over 15,000 • The Olympic mascot is called spectators safe during the Games, athletes from 207 nations participate Miraitowa, based on the Japanese and the heat factor is expected to in what will be the most innovative, words “Mirai”(future) and “towa” become one of the key defining inclusive and inspiring Olympics yet. (eternity) to symbolize the undaunted planning features of the training • Tokyo 2020 will be the world’s 16th optimism of the Olympic Games. preparation cycle for many athletes. Paralympic Games, and will see over • The Paralympic mascot is named 4,000 athletes compete in the biggest Someity, based on “Someiyoshino”, Paralympics yet. a popular cherry blossom variety, • There are 33 Olympic sports and 22 and the phrase “so mighty”.