08 August 2024
They excelled in their sports as elite athletes, and now, after completing the AIS Accelerate program, Jess Grimwood and Emma Snowsill have excelled as commentators at the Olympic Games.
Olympic gold medallist Snowsill shared her expertise during the triathlon events on Channel 9 in the heart of Paris, while Grimwood commented on the surfing out of the International Broadcast Centre.
It’s an experience Grimwood hasn’t taken for granted with the Paris Games only the second time surfing has been part of the Olympic program.
“I used to represent Australia in surfing before it became an Olympic sport and naturally, I ended up still frothing and living and breathing surfing,” Grimwood said.
"To watch how the broadcast works for the biggest sporting event in the world is pretty wild.”
After retiring, Grimwood started commentating at local surfing events before the 2021 AIS Accelerate program gave her the confidence to continue chasing her media dream.
“I can't thank the AIS Accelerate Program enough,” Grimwood said.
“That experience gave me so much purpose, direction and the skills to see more opportunities for myself as well as talk to the other women and hear how they navigated the sports industry and tips and tricks to it.
“It was really the catalyst for thinking outside of Australian surfing and seeing myself as a valuable member of our surfing community and industry globally.”
AIS Accelerate is designed to support retired female athletes utilise their skills and experience to pursue other career options within the wider sport sector.
Snowsill was part of the 2024 program which wrapped up in June ahead of the Olympic Games.
The pair planned to meet in Paris to revel in their passions and commentary experience and continue the program legacy of supporting women within the industry.