Malcolm Page OAM, Australia's only double Olympic gold medallist, has resigned from his role as Chief of Olympic Sailing with US Sailing and is returning to Australia.
Hopefully Australian Sailing will correct the massive mistake they made when Page finished his Olympic career with gold at London 2012, and offer him a job befitting his talents.
Here is the US Sailing media release:
Bristol, RI (September 19, 2019) – US Sailing and Malcolm Page, Chief of Olympic Sailing, announced that they have agreed to part ways. Page will be leaving US Sailing and returning to his home in Australia. He will be working with US Sailing Team staff and coaches on transition activities through the end of October, 2019.
US Sailing would like to thank Malcolm for his two and a half years of service to the organization and for his role in the preparation of the US Sailing Team for the 2020 Games. Malcolm played an integral role connecting the sailing public to the Team and Olympic sailing, and in fostering relationships around the industry to support our program and the athletes. As a respected sailing industry professional, we wish Malcolm the best in his future endeavors.
Moving forward, US Sailing will enhance our focus on athlete-centric investment and resources in preparation for Tokyo 2020. Jack Gierhart, CEO of US Sailing, will be directing a strong and competent leadership team and staff at US Sailing to support the organization through this transition.
We will remain focused on the 2020 Games with unwavering commitment to the athletes and the Olympic Development Program, as well as the advancement of a long-term strategy and improved performance objectives that will support our 2024 and 2028 Olympic sailing goals and aspirations for success on the international stage.
Associated Press sailing writer and respected journalist, Bernie Wilson, writes:
Contacted by phone, US Sailing CEO Jack Gierhart declined to specify why Page apparently was pushed out, saying, “I’m not going to talk about the past. We’re focused on looking forward.”
While guarded in his comments, Page – who personally won more medals for Australia in two Olympics than the entire U.S. team has in the last two games – seemed to indicate it wasn’t his choice to leave.
“I came in with a strong vision and obviously I’m disappointed that I will not be around to see it through,” Page told Bernie Wilson. “I think there have been some strong developments in this quadrennium and I guess I was excited for the athletes. The potential in this place is huge. I’ve always seen that. All the pieces of the puzzle are here.”
Page said part of his vision “was having a cultural shift. It’s what I would call winning spirit. I’m a big believer that you have to have that fighting spirit, that winning spirit, that desire to keep going. That will to push limits is a big thing. It needs to come from management, from coaching, from everything.”
The move came less than two months after the American team had no podium finishes in two major regattas at the venue for the 2020 Games.
Read Bernie Wilson's full report here.
