Mitchell Awarded AIS Junior Athlete of the Year

WAIS-AIS world champion gymnast Lauren Mitchell has been awarded the 2010 Australian Institute of Sport Junior Athlete of the Year Award in recognition of her stellar season.

The AIS Junior Athlete of the Year was awarded to the outstanding 19-year-old after she collected four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and created history by becoming the first Australian female gymnast to win a world title, claiming gold on floor in Rotterdam, Netherlands later that month.

“Lauren’s performances on the world stage demonstrate a talent beyond her years,” said Minister for Sport Mark Arbib.

“With athletes like Lauren, the future of Australian sport is in very good hands.”

Olympic aerial skiing champion Lydia Lassila as the 2010 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Athlete of the Year at a gala presentation in Canberra.

Lassila was chosen from an impressive list of finalists for the award, including Australian Commonwealth Games stars Alicia Coutts (swimming), Matthew Cowdrey (Paralympic swimming), Jamie Dwyer (hockey), Anna Meares (cycling) and world No.1 Laser sailor Tom Slingsby.

Lassila’s award caps off an outstanding year which saw her produce a memorable performance for Australia to win gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.

Other major AIS awards presented tonight at the AIS Arena included:

-AIS Coach of the Year: Ric Charlesworth (Hockey)
-AIS Team of the Year: Australian Men’s Hockey Team
-AIS Program of the Year: AIS Sailing program.

– Australian Sports Commission