VIS AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Eighteen athletes from the Victorian Institute of Sport have won Olympic medals in Athens in seven different sports. Two former VIS athletes, baseballer Brett Tamburrino and walker Nathan Deakes, also won medals.

Six VIS athletes join triple and dual Olympic rowing champions James Tomkins and Drew Ginn in winning the greatest prize in world sport, an Olympic gold medal.

These include diver Chantelle Newbery, cyclist Brett Lancaster, swimmers Brooke Hanson and Giaan Rooney, and hockey players Travis Brooks and Stephen Mowlam.

Since the opening of the VIS in1990 a total of 26 athletes from the Institute have become Olympic champions. Before this time only 12 Victorians had ever won an Olympic gold medal.

There were also seven athletes who experienced near misses among the VIS contingent of 70 athletes. Fourth place finishes went to Shane Kelly (cycling), Catherine Arlove (judo), Sarah Blanck (sailing), Lauryn Mark (shooting), Jo Fox (water polo) and Shayne Reese and Giaan Rooney, members of the women?s 4 x 100metre freestyle relay team.

VIS Executive Director Frank Pyke said that the VIS has been very pleased with its contribution to the performance of an outstanding Australian team. ?Based on these results we can confidently look forward to the further success of Victorian athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 18 months time.?