One of Climate Action Merribek’s members, Rhydian Cowley, has just been announced by the BBC in the BBC Green Sports Awards as World Athlete of the Year.

Rhydian does so much amazing work with environmental advocacy in sport and in the general community. His participation as a member in Climate Action Merribek forms only a small but important part of his work in many organisations.

Rhydian has attended the last 3 Olympic Games representing Australia in race walking events. At the Paris Olympic Games Rhydian and fellow competitor Jemima Montag won the bronze medal for the inaugural mixed gender race walk relay event.

We congratulate Rhydian for winning this prestigous international ward. It is very much deserved.

Here is the commendation from the BBC:

Rhydian Cowley took home the award for World Athlete of the Year (formerly Young Athlete of the Year). Rhydian, who received a bronze medal in Paris this summer, supports leading environmental organisations and is an ambassador for EcoAthletes, Champions For Earth, the Sports Environment Alliance and collaborates with Bush Heritage Australia. Over the past year, he has elevated his contributions in sport and climate advocacy while qualifying for his third consecutive Olympics, including the 20k walk and the inaugural Olympic mixed race walk relay. In June 2024 he was one of 14 athletes to sign an open letter urging the International Olympic Committee to drop Toyota, accusing the Games’ major sponsor of greenwashing.

In September at the Merri-bek Council community awards Rhydian Cowley received the Community award for Contribution to Sport.

At the community awards both Campbell Harrison and Rhydian Cowley were celebrated as being Olympians from Merri-bek who competed in Paris Olympic Games. Campbell in Sports Climbing and Rhydian in Racewalking.

References:

Merri-bek Council Community Award winners, 16 September, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/merribekcitycouncil/posts/pfbid0MTTgfyoe9NRvnyeesgqKZD9ostnyjybnEke1V8GZKmTbTvVGuuk4jMChXDdXfgKol

BBC, 7 October 2024, BBC Green Sport Awards 2024 winners announced https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/bbc-green-sport-awards-2024-winners-announced

John Englart, 16 September 2024, Merri-bek Community awards, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/johnenglart/posts/pfbid0iCjmrD7am2vFyx8WLHhZ9YwvMEWkouTVdeV5NPM2BK7vuwvTZZdE6fw9tQeBVm4Ll