With less than one year to go until the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Chef de Mission Mike Hay has today announced his Senior Leadership Team.
Paul Ford and Louise Laing will both serve as Deputy Chefs de Mission for Team GB while Laura Meech will lead the media operation as Chief Press Attaché. Heading up the medical and physio teams will be Dr Mike Loosemore as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Nicola Combarro as Chief Physio.
After taking charge of Team GB’s Rio 2016 Olympic Preparation Camp, Ford will play a key role in ensuring the team has world-class field of play support, enabling the athletes and sports to deliver optimal performances and medal winning strategies at the Games across all sports and venues.
Laing, who fulfilled the role of Deputy Chef de Mission at Sochi 2014, will lead on all of Team GB’s operational and logistical requirements during the Games.
Loosemore, who was Deputy CMO for Rio 2016, has experience of working at three Olympic Games, while Combarro was part of the Rio 2016 and London 2012 Preparation Camp HQ physio team.
Ford said: “It is a privilege to be appointed Deputy Chef de Mission for the PyeongChang Games. We have seen some fantastic results this season across a number of disciplines and I am looking forward to supporting Mike to ensure that our talented and committed athletes can achieve their Olympic dreams in February next year.”
Laing said: “I am delighted to be appointed Deputy Chef de Mission for Team GB once again having supported Mike in the role for Sochi 2014. PyeongChang 2018 will be my eighth Olympic Games and building on the success in Sochi it promises to be a fantastic Games for Team GB.
“The BOA is recognised as a world leading National Olympic Committee and we pride ourselves on our high level of attention to detail. My focus is on ensuring that we have the best possible performance environment for Team GB to allow the athletes to focus on competing to the best of their ability.”
Hay said: “I am delighted to announce Paul and Louise as Team GB’s Deputy Chef de Missions along with Laura, Mike and Nicki as our media, medical and physio leads for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. PyeongChang presents new challenges to the BOA and our sports and it is a crucial to have a strong leadership team in place. Their experience and professionalism will be a fantastic support to Team GB, the sport Team Leaders and, most importantly, our athletes.”