Philippe Rizzo

Current Role: Project Adviser Records and Information Management, Sport Australia

AIS Athlete from: 1995-2010, Gymnastics

What attracted you to sport?

I discovered gymnastics when I was a baby as my parents bought an old picture theatre in Belmore, Sydney, and turned it into a Gymnastics Club. It’s still there today. My parents never forced me to do gymnastics, I just played around the gym a lot which was my choice. One of my idols was my older brother, Blaise, who was also on AIS scholarship in 1986. I really liked his style when he was performing basics and routines.

What are you first memories of the AIS?

I remember having a meeting with Warwick Forbes who was then the AIS Gymnastics Head Coach. I was 13 and I remember him saying to me that if I wanted to go to the Olympics, the AIS would provide me the best place to achieve this goal.

If you were talking with a modern-day athlete, finish this sentence: ‘Back in my day …’

I had a lot of fun even though we didn’t have air conditioning in the gym or in Ressies.

What are your fondest memories of the AIS?

A memory that has stuck with me was on my first weekend on scholarship. We were playing cricket in the Ressies quadrangle and the Oarsome Foursome joined in and played with us. That made me realise that top athletes were just normal people and that I could aspire to be successful in my sport. Especially considering that their backyard cricket was not that crash-hot.

Another memory was getting off the big 24-seater bus right out the front of Lake Ginninderra College where I and the other AIS athletes went to school. It was so embarrassing. I was in the same year as Lauren Jackson and other tall athletes. So I used to hide behind these giants so I wouldn’t be seen getting off the bus. Believe me, most of the AIS athletes felt embarrassed getting off the bus … except the football players for some reason.

How did the AIS help progress your sporting career? What were your proudest sporting achievements?

The AIS provided me a great environment where I could train with the best gymnasts in the country and be supported by great coaches, physiotherapy, and medical support, while also having a strong emphasis and support on education. It was awesome living with other athletes from other sports and gaining an understanding of different sports. We all shared the same goal to be successful in sport. I really believe that I would not have been able to achieve half of my results without the AIS.

My proudest moments were: Competing in the all-around final in front of my friends, family and home crowd at the Sydney 2000 Olympics; winning three gold medals in one day at the Commonwealth games Manchester 2002; winning Australia’s first World title in Gymnastics, on the High bar at in Aarhus Denmark in 2006.

Describe the AIS in three words.

Environment. Team. Olympics/Paralympics

How did this time at the AIS influence your career after sport?

John Waser who then worked in Athlete Career and Education really encouraged and supported me to get a degree. I choose to do a bachelor degree in Primary Education. Even though I’m not teaching now it really gave me focus outside of sport. Also my degree gave me a great deal of knowledge and skills that I use in my day-to-day life. Therefore, I’m always really grateful for the opportunities the AIS has provided me.

Tell us about your role now and what you enjoy most about it?

I recently started a new role as Records & Information Manager in Governance & Business Improvement (G&BI). I work in a great, supportive team that always pulls together and goes the extra length to get things done. In my new role I am looking forward to being one of the first government organisations that will manage information in office 365. Now that I think about it, I enjoy being the first at things … like my Gymnastics career.

Are you still involved in sport outside work?

Yes I’m still involved in Gymnastics. I coach at national/state camps, judge at national/state events and I am Project Coordinator on the National Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Commission. I also train at my daughter’s gym in the Adult Class regularly at the Gungahlin Gymnastics Club to prepare for Gymnastics Master competitions.

Philippe Rizzo in action at the Men's National Club Championships in Canberra, July 2002