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Dual Olympian and Culture and Sport Advisor Patrick Johnson secured the 2023 IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award for Oceania.

The award, announced in Lausanne last week, recognises Johnson's 20-plus years of advocacy work for equal rights and inclusion for all Australians in sport, in addition to various indigenous leadership roles.

The award also recognises Johnson’s work and commitment in encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women to compete in Olympic sports.

A proud indigenous Olympian, Johnson joined the Sport Integrity Australia agency in 2023 to help address discrimination, abuse and mistreatment across all levels of Australian sport and ensure Sport Integrity Australia's work in this space is appropriate and informed.

Sport Integrity Australia Chief Executive David Sharpe said Johnson's advocacy and contribution to sport was far-reaching and noted "this award acknowledges Patrick's commitment, through his many roles in sport, to a sporting environment that is culturally safe, where Indigenous Australians feel included, recognised and safe. We look forward to working with Patrick to embed culturally safe practices in our agency and for everyone in sport."

In addition to his role at Sport Integrity Australia, Johnson is also the Chair of the Australian Olympic Committee's Indigenous Advisory Committee, a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee Board Member, and an Indigenous Advisor for Australia's High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy.

Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman says Johnson has long been an advocate for the ability of sport to change lives and shared “Patrick has worked very hard to ensure sport in Australia offers culturally safe spaces and are inclusive for Australia’s First Nations people.

“We have seen his energy and efforts in chairing the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee which has provided invaluable advice on ways to integrate the acknowledgement and celebration of Indigenous Australians in the Olympic movement.

“He is a leader, one that always leading by example and he has impacted on many lives.”

Johnson has made a difference through a variety of roles, including:

• Chair of the AOC Indigenous Advisory Committee
• Culture and Safety Advisor, Sport Integrity Australia
• Board Member, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee
• Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy Indigenous Advisor
• Deadly Choices Ambassador

Johnson, a proud Australian and Kaanju man, says he is humbled and surprised by the award and added “I am a bit surprised but equally very honoured. Mainly because there are so many deserving people who advocate and champion for this to be a reality in all areas of life. I am inspired by those who passionately advocate for the recognition of gender equality, diversity and inclusion, on a daily basis. We all have a responsibility to create real change in this space.”

Patrick Johnson represented Australia at two Olympic Games - Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.

He remains the Australian and Oceania record holder for the 100 metres – 9.93 seconds set in Mito Japan in 2003.

Former professional tennis player and now tennis executive, Katrina Adams, was the Global Winner of the award, with other continental winners including: Africas: Irene Limika (Kenya); Americas: Marialoreto González Jaque (Chile); Asia: Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala (Sri Lanka), and Europe: Aurélie Bresson (France).

Image. Credit: AOC

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