Just as Swimming searched the globe to find the best National Performance Director and appointed Bill Sweetenham, one of Australia’s finest coaches, it has now looked beyond the boundaries of the swimming pool to another
aquatic sport for its first ever Chairman of British Swimming.
CHRIS BAILLIEU, one of the best known and highly respected names in British Rowing, has been appointed Chairman of GB Swimming. An Olympic silver medallist and four times Cambridge Blue in the Boat Race, he is also an experienced BBC commentator at the Olympics, World Championships and the
Boat Race. A long standing member of the Media and Marketing Commission of FISA (international Rowing), he brings to the new Swimming post a broad range of knowledge and expertise not only as a former athlete but as somebody who has experience in working in all areas of a sports governing body. Through Rowing, BAILLIEU has worked closely with the Sports Councils and all the major stakeholders in British sport and is looking forward to
his involvement with Swimming.
‘I have a background of working with athletes and have been involved in developing and improving the management of rowing both domestically and internationally. With considerable experience in sport but with absolutely
no Swimming baggage, I see this as a strength I bring to the job as Chairman.’
‘I care about the future of Swimming. My kids swim and have been members of swimming clubs and I’m involved in the development of swimming in my local London Borough. As a former international athlete, I’m looking forward to meeting the swimmers and coaches. Swimming’s future lies on
their shoulders and as GB Chairman I want to work with them and Bill Sweetenham to help to ensure that nothing hinders their path to success at the Athens Olympics.’
David Sparkes, Chief Executive of the Amateur Swimming Federation of Great Britain is delighted the GB Management Board was prepared to look beyond the boundaries of their sport for the appointment.
‘This proves Swimming has come of age, and is broad minded enough to recognise the qualities of a professional from another British sport. The ASFGB has a successful track record now in making appointments from outside the sport and in Bill Sweetenham’s case from outside the country. Chris Baillieu brings a breath of fresh air to Swimming and I look forward to working with him.’
For more details contact:
Dee McIntosh – ASA/ASFGB Director of Communications
07799 476637 or 01509 618 712