Tom Wickham added to Kookaburras Team for Tokyo

WAIS graduate Tom Wickham has been added to the Kookaburras for the Tokyo Olympic Games, joining fellow WA hockey players Trent Mitton and Captain Aran Zalewski.

Amendments to the IOC’s athlete replacement rules, along with other Team changes, enabled the Australian Olympic Committee to select an additional 16 athletes, making it Australia’s largest ever Olympic Team for a Games on foreign soil.

Previously, alternate athlete replacements were available in several sports only as permanent replacements in case of injury or other circumstances for the Olympic squads. But now each of these athletes can be used across any matches and have earned selection to the Australian Olympic Team. 

Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team Ian Chesterman says the Tokyo Games are building into something that will capture Australia’s imagination.

“We’ve always said this Australian Team deserves a special place in history. But this is an unexpected milestone, and a positive one. I am really pleased for the athletes who now have this opportunity, just as I am disappointed when we lose athletes through the misfortunes that are a part of sport.” Mr Chesterman said.