Minister for Sport Mark Arbib last week announced the finalists for the highly regarded Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Athlete of the Year Awards.

Australian Commonwealth Games stars Alicia Coutts (swimming), Matthew Cowdrey OAM (Paralympic swimming), Jamie Dwyer (hockey), Anna Meares (cycling), along with Tom Slingsby (sailing) and Winter Olympic gold medallist Lydia Lassila (aerial skiing) are the 2010 finalists.

“Since it was established in 1981 the AIS has been committed to achieving sporting excellence and all the 2010 finalists certainly achieved this in a remarkable year for Australian sport,” Senator Arbib said.

“Whether it was the Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics and Paralympics or their respective World Championships these athletes all excelled on some of the world’s toughest sporting stages.

“The AIS continues to be a world leader, working with sports to develop elite talent and the class of 2010 reflects this high standard.

“I congratulate all of the athletes who are finalists for representing their sport, the AIS and their nation with such distinction.”

Some of the outstanding Australian athletes who have won the AIS Athlete of the Year award include walker Kerry Saxby-Junna (1986-89), swimming greats Michael Klim (1998 and 1999) and Petria Thomas (2001 and 2002) and gymnast Philippe Rizzo (2001 and 2006).

The AIS Junior Athlete of the Year award finalists are Jessica Fox (canoe slalom), Samantha Kerr (women’s football), Jason Kubler (tennis), Peter Leek OAM (Paralympic swimming), Michael Matthews (road cycling) and Lauren Mitchell (gymnastics).

“Australia has an outstanding crop of junior athletes coming through the ranks who continue to produce remarkable performances at both national and international levels,” Senator Arbib said.

“When you look at the fine achievements of our junior athletes, it’s clear that the future of Australian sport is in great hands.”

The 2010 AIS Awards winners will be announced on Monday, 13 December 2010 at the AIS Arena in Canberra.

AIS Awards Finalists

Media contact: Alison Hill 0407 570 640/ 02 9364 2600

2010 AIS Athlete of the Year Award Finalists – Achievements

Alicia Coutts (Swimming)

Five Gold medals at 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games:

• 100m freestyle
• 100m butterfly
• 200m individual medley
• 4x100m freestyle relay
• 4x100m medley relay

Matthew Cowdrey OAM (Paralympic Swimming)

• 7 Gold medals, 2 silver medals and 7 World records at the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships 25m, Rio de Janiero, Brazil
• 6 Gold medals, 1 Silver medal and 2 World records at the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships, Eindoven, The Netherlands
• 1 Gold medal, 1 World record and 2 Commonwealth Games records at the XIX Commonwealth Games, Delhi, India
• 1 Gold medal, 4 Silver medals, 1 Bronze medal (MC Events) and 5 World records (S9) at the 2010 Telstra Short Course Championships, Brisbane, Australia

Jamie Dwyer (Hockey – Men’s)

• Gold medal – 2010 Men’s World Cup, Delhi, India
• Gold medal – 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games
• Gold medal – 2010 Men’s Champion’s Trophy, Monchengladback, Germany
• Gold medal – 2009 Men’s Champion’s Trophy, Melbourne (December)
• Dwyer is the current FIH World Player of the Year – the third time in his career he has been given this honour

Lydia Lassila (Aerial Skiing)

• Gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada
• Olympic record
• World record – Deer Valley, USA
• 3 World Cup wins in 2010

Anna Meares (Track Cycling)

• Gold medal in the Teams Sprint at the 2010 World Track Championships & World Record
• Gold medal in the 500m Time Trial at the 2010 World Track Championships
• Gold medal in the Sprint at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games
• Gold medal in the 500m Time Trial at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games
• Gold medal in the Team Sprint at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games

Tom Slingsby (Sailing)

• World No.1 ranked Laser sailor (October 2010)
• Gold medal at 2010 Laser World Championships, England (August)
• Gold Medal at 2010 Etchells World Championship (August)
• Gold medals at 2010 ISAF World Cup regattas in Weymouth (Aug), Kiel (June) and Holland (May)
• Bronze medal at 2010 Laser European Championship (June)
• Slingsby is one of six finalists for the prestigious 2010 Rolex ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award