Olympic aerial skiing champion Lydia Lassila was announced as the 2010 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Athlete of the Year at a gala presentation at the AIS Arena in Canberra last week.

The glittering evening was attended by a large number of AIS athletes, while Australian Sports Commission Chairman, the Hon Warwick Smith AM, ASC CEO Matt Miller, AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker and Former

AIS Director John Boultbee were all present along with a number of representatives from national sporting organisations.

Lassila, who was presented the award by Minister for Sport Mark Arbib, was chosen from an impressive list of finalists for the award, including Australian Commonwealth Games stars Alicia Coutts (swimming), Matthew Cowdrey (Paralympic swimming), Jamie Dwyer (hockey), Anna Meares (cycling) and world No.1 Laser sailor Tom Slingsby.

Lassila’s award capped off an outstanding year which saw her produce a memorable performance for Australia to win gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. 

Lassila fought off challenges from the strong Chinese contingent in Vancouver the claim the gold medal and was fully deserving of the AIS’ top award.

Senator Arbib said Lassila’s performance was inspiring for other sportspeople and the wider Australian community.

‘Lydia has proven herself to be a world class champion both on and off the ski slopes,’ Senator Arbib said.

‘Her gold medal performance in Vancouver captured the hearts of all Australians and stands as one of the truly great moments in Australian sport.

’The AIS continues to be an international leader, working with sports to develop elite talent like Lydia who excel on some of the world’s toughest sporting stages.’

Lassila became the 27th winner of the Institute’s top award, joining some of Australia’s best athletes.

Previous winners 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).  

On the AIS’s night of nights, the AIS Junior Athlete of the Year was awarded to outstanding 19-year-old gymnast Lauren Mitchell.

In October Mitchell collected four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and created history by becoming the first Australian female gymnast to win a world title, claiming gold on floor in Rotterdam, Netherlands later that month.

‘Lauren’s performances on the world stage demonstrate a talent beyond her years,’ Senator Arbib said.

‘With athletes like Lauren, the future of Australian sport is in very good hands.’

Other major AIS awards presented on the evening included:

• AIS Coach of the Year: Ric Charlesworth (Hockey)
• AIS Team of the Year: Australian Men’s Hockey team
• AIS Program of the Year: AIS Sailing program.

The full list of award winners is on the 2010 Honour Roll.