The British Olympic Association (BOA) has today announced two-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medallist Kristian Thomas as the newly elected Vice Chair of its Athletes' Commission (BOA AC). Thomas was elected by the Athletes' Commission members to serve a one-year term as Vice Chair, with the result being announced at a Commission meeting earlier this week.
Thomas helped Team GB to their first Olympic team medal in 100 years when the British men won bronze at London 2012. At his second Games in Rio four years later the team finished just shy of the medals in fourth place. Thomas was also the men’s gymnastics team captain for both Games.
Since retiring, Thomas became only the second person to be inducted into the British Gymnastics Hall of Fame and has recently joined the Premier League as Player Care & Engagement Manager. The 32-year-old has been part of the BOA Athletes’ Commission since 2019 and will support Chair Lizzie Simmonds with the leadership and strategic direction of the Commission. He will also act as a second athlete representative on the BOA’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).
BOA AC Chair Lizzie Simmonds said: “Kristian is a proactive and engaged member of the Commission, and a widely respected representative within the Team GB athlete community. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with him and look forward to harnessing his expertise in this ambitious and exciting Olympic cycle."
Thomas added: “I’m thrilled and excited to be continuing my journey with Team GB as the BOA Athletes’ Commission Vice Chair. To have been voted by my fellow Athletes’ Commission members to the role is a great honour, and I look forward to working closely with Lizzie; continuing to passionately represent the athlete community and ensure athletes’ best interests remain a pillar in Team GB’s success.
“With the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games kicking off in just over a week’s time and a return to Europe for the summer Games it is an extremely exciting time to be involved in British Olympic sport.”