Former Olympians Kitty Chiller (pictured top), Danielle Woodward and Nicole Livingstone will join Helen Brownlee and current athlete representative Kim Crow, the only rower to win more than one medal at London 2012, among the 12 elected positions on the AOC's Executive Board next month.

Brownlee, the first woman to be elected to the AOC Executive Board 22 years ago, has also been promoted to joint vice-president under Preisdent John Coates and becomes the first female to hold the position.

"Women comprise 45 per cent of our Summer Olympic team and 50 per cent of our Winter Olympic team," Coates said. 

 

"In recent times they are winning the bulk of our Olympic medals, it is only right that women therefore have a greater presence on our board."

A retired pentathlete, Chiller was Australia's Deputy Chef de Mission at London 2012, where she earned many plaudits for her approach, and has been President of Modern Pentathlon Australia since 2009.

Woodward, who won an Olympic silver medal in K-1 at Barcelona, is President and chairwoman of Australian Canoeing and and an agent for the Australian Federal Police, having worked for the United Nations in East Timor in 2002 and 2003.

Ex-swimmer Nicole Livingstone is now a well-respected television presenter and commentator

Former swimmer Livingstone, holder of a silver and two bronze medals from Barcelona and Atlanta 1996, is already a member of Swimming Australia's Board and a well-regarded television presenter, who provided commentary during London 2012 for the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

"The new candidates are three outstanding women, on and off the field of play, and I am looking forward to working closely with them in the future," said Coates, a member of the IOC Executive Board.

"They have much to offer".

Brownlee's promotion gives Coates two deputies, with Peter Montgomery now sharing the role.

The shift echoes similar moves in cricket, rugby union and rugby league to have more women among the decision makers in Australian sports.

Catherine Harris, the chairwoman of Australia's largest independent fresh produce retailer, Harris Farm Markets, was appointed to the inaugural Australian Rugby League Commission last year.

The Australian Rugby Union named Ann Sherry,chief executive officer of cruise ship operator Carnival Australia, as its first female director in July, while former Ericsson Australia managing director Jacquie Hey broke the 107-year male domination of Cricket Australia's Board in October when she became its first female independent director.

Helen Brownlee has been promoted to become the first female vice-president of the AOC

The announcement by the AOC coincided with nominations for its elections on May 5 closing.

Only seven nominations have been received for the seven Board positions meaning their election is a formality.

AOC President John Coates will be elected unopposed, extending a spell as head of the organisation which stretches back to 1990.

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