Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, this morning announced Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) gymnast Philippe Rizzo as the winner of the prestigious AIS Athlete of the Year award at a ceremony in Canberra.

In congratulating Rizzo, Senator Brandis said it was the second time that Rizzo had taken out the Institute's top honour, having previously shared the award with swimming champion Petria Thomas in 2001.

“Rizzo created history last year when he became Australia's first ever gymnast to win a gold medal at a world championship event,” Senator Brandis said.

Senator Brandis described Rizzo's history creating performance as phenomenal and today's award as just reward for his outstanding commitment to gymnastics.

“He has proven himself to be a world-class champion by taking on the best gymnasts in the world and becoming Australia's first ever gold medallist,” Senator Brandis said.

“His success demonstrates that the AIS gymnastics program, funded by the Australian Government, is helping our athletes to compete and win on the world stage.”

“We all take great pride in the achievements of our athletes and it's the cutting edge research and training at the AIS that helps to build sporting successes of the future.”

Other winners announced today at the AIS & Coach Awards were:

• Greg McFadden (water polo) – AIS Coach of the Year,
• Australian women's water polo – AIS Team of the Year,
• Robbie Crowther (athletics) – AIS Junior Athlete of the Year;
• AIS/South Australia.com men's U23 road cycling – AIS Program of the Year.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Senator Brandis media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248
Australian Institute of Sport contact: David Packwood (AIS) 0408 417 894

20/07
Wednesday 28 February 2007