Queensland's loss in Canada's gain: Fraser

The Queensland Academy of Sport’s much-respected Executive Director and Olympic champion Alex Baumann will complete his long and successful involvement with the state’s sporting fraternity next month, Sport Minister Andrew Fraser announced today.

Mr Fraser said Mr Baumann had accepted an offer to help take Canada and its athletes into the next Summer Olympic Games.

“The position Alex has been offered in Canada is a testament to not only his sporting prowess and history but the level of esteem in which he is held by sporting organisations throughout the world,” Mr Fraser said.

“We’re happy for him but it’s a significant loss to Queensland sport.

“Sport in this state has taken huge strides forwards since Alex took over as QAS Executive Director in 2002. He has left his mark and will be sadly missed.

“It was a huge coup for Queensland to retain his services as a sporting leader.

“Alex achieved international success as a swimmer and has an extensive background in sports administration, teaching and development and has been instrumental in the success of a host of community-based programs.

“His focus has always been on motivating young people in their chosen sporting fields to achieve consistently high standards.”

Mr Baumann moved to Queensland in 1991 to take up tertiary studies after an international swimming career.

In 1996 he was appointed Manager, Sports Programs at the Queensland Academy of Sport and the following year took up a position as Executive Manager, International Sport within the Office of Sport and Recreation.

He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Swimming in 1999 before joining the QAS as Executive Director three years later.

Mr Fraser said in an impressive international swimming career between the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Mr Baumann had clocked up a plethora of achievements including:

• Two gold medals at the Los Angeles Olympics
• Five Gold and two Silver Commonwealth Games medals
• Four Silver and Six Bronze medals at the Pan Pacific and World Championships
• Six World Records

In addition, Mr Baumann was the recipient of numerous honours in his home country including The Officer of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and induction into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr Fraser said Mr Baumann would return to Canada to take up the position of Executive Director of the country’s Road to Excellence initiative.

“The Road to Excellence program has been mapped out to aim for podium success for Canadian athletes at the Olympic Games and its organisers have secured the services of a true champion of sport and for sport,” he said.

Mr Baumann will leave the QAS at the end of October to take up the Canadian job in January 2007.

Mr Fraser Mr Baumann would be part of the panel which would decide on a replacement in his position, which will be advertised in the next month and filled before Christmas.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825 or 0419 710 874
October 8 2006