Allana Slater becomes World Champs Ambassador

World Championships bronze medallist Allana Slater is an official
ambassador for the World Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne following the
announcement of her retirement from international competition.

Slater, who was a member of the Australian team that collected an historic bronze medal in the team competition at the 2003 World Championships, announced she was hanging up the grips after an international career that included two Commonwealth Games, two Olympic Games and four World Championship appearances.

World Gymnastics Championships organising committee chairman, Murray Chessell, congratulated Allana Slater on her wonderful career. ‘Obviously we all would have loved to watch Allana compete at the World Championships in Melbourne; however she has had a remarkable career that included many ‘firsts’. Allana captained the first Australian team to win a medal in team competition at the World Championships and was the first Australian to win World Cup gold.’

‘We are delighted that Allana will still be involved in the championships in Melbourne. She has an important role to play as a mentor to our Australian team members and she will be involved in the promotion and presentation of the championships. Her knowledge of the sport and the competitors will ensure spectators receive a unique insight into the competition that only recently retired gymnasts can provide,’ Mr. Chessell said.

Slater joins fellow world championships bronze medallist and Athens Olympian Stephanie Moorhouse as recent ‘retirees’ who are playing an active role in promoting the championships. Moorhouse is working with the organising committee in promotion activities targeting grassroots gymnastics participants throughout Victoria.

The 2005 World Gymnastics Championships will be held from 21-27 November 2005 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and will feature more than 400 gymnasts from 64 countries who will battle for the title of men’s and women’s all around world champion along with individual world champion apparatus titles.