Renowned international sailor Iain Murray AM and Australian Sailing have today announced that the 2008 Olympian and reigning Etchells World Champion will continue with the Australian Sailing Team through to the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The new deal will see Murray remain with the team and increase his focus on the Tokyo campaign, highlighted by his appointment to the newly created role of Australian Sailing Director – Tokyo 2020 Olympic Campaign.

The role will allow Murray to focus his energies on managing the campaign for Tokyo, one which has become increasingly complex with the postponement of the Games.

“I am delighted to be able to extend my role with Australian Sailing and move ahead with the job I was brought here to do – help our team win gold medals at the Olympic Games,” said Murray.

“We are delighted that Iain has extended this critically important role with the team,” said Australian Sailing CEO Ben Houston. “Iain is one of the best minds in world sailing and we are extremely lucky to have him on our team. He will continue to do what he does best – making our boats go faster.”

With Murray fully focused on helping our athletes chase Gold on the waters of Enoshima next year, Australian Sailing has secured the services of highly regarded High Performance strategist Mike McGovern to step in to the role of High Performance Director role with Australian Sailing.

McGovern brings extensive experience in the sports high performance sector including roles as the Senior High Performance Consultant to World Rugby and roles at the Australian Institute of Sport (Deputy Director – Performance Excellence) and High Performance Sport New Zealand (General Manger – Performance & Strategic Investment. 

With the 12-month postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, Australia’s campaign for the 2024 Olympics will have an unusual three-year preparation period so it will be McGovern’s responsibility to build the Australian Sailing Team’s High Performance strategy for 2024 and beyond, with the work to commence immediately.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that the Australian Sailing Team is best placed to maintain its place as one of the most successful sailing teams in the world,” said Australian Sailing President, Daniel Belcher. “Having a world-class long-term high performance strategy is crucial to achieving that goal.”

McGovern will be responsible for ensuring sustained success for one of Australia’s most successful Olympic teams – having won three medals in the 2008 Olympics and four medals at each of the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Sailing was Australia's top Olympic sport at the 2012 Olympic Games.