BOA Announces Adam Pengilly as Lillehammer 2016 Chef de Mission

With 99 days to go until the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, the British Olympic Association (BOA) announces two-time Olympian Adam Pengilly as Team GB’s Chef de Mission.

Pengilly will lead the team of 15-18 year olds at the second edition of the Games from 12-21 February 2016, following the inaugural event at Innsbruck 2012.

Around 1,100 young athletes from 70 nations around the world will descend on Lillehammer, which hosted the 1994 Olympic Winter Games, and will compete across 15 sporting disciplines during the nine days of competition.

Born in Taunton, Pengilly competed in the men’s skeleton event at both Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010, finishing eighth and 18th respectively and won World Championship silver in 2009.

The Bath-based athlete, now retired, is currently a member of the BOA’s and the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes’ Commission as well as sitting on the IOC’s Coordination Commission, which has monitored the progress of Lillehammer 2016.

"I’ve been part of Team GB before but to be leading the team at Lillehammer 2016 is very humbling and a responsibility that I’m looking forward to," said Pengilly.

"It’s going to be a great Games. Lillehammer hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1994 which is regarded as arguably the best ever so I know it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the athletes.

"I think I’ve spent nine or ten birthdays in Lillehammer because of bobsleigh and skeleton, so I know the area well. This, coupled with my experience as an athlete across two Olympic Winter Games, should stand me in good stead to lead the team.

"The athletes will get the chance to learn about a multi-sport Games and an Olympic environment, which comes with its own magic.

"In addition, because it’s a Youth Games, they will get a wider experience of learning, sharing and interacting with athletes from other nations. The Games will be a great opportunity to get a real rounded development from a sporting perspective."

Team GB will be joined in Norway by Olympic medallists Claire Hamilton and Shelley Rudman, who will support the team in their respective roles as a Young Ambassador and Athlete Role Model for the duration of the Games.

In addition to sporting completion, Lillehammer 2016 will offer a culture and education experience for the athletes providing workshops on Olympism, skills development, well-being and healthy lifestyle, social responsibility and expression through digital media.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only