Bath, United Kingdom, 24 August 2023 – Kitty Chiller AM OLY, the Modern Pentathlon Oceania Confederation President, UIPM Executive Board Member and previous Australian Modern Pentathlon President has been inducted into the UIPM Hall of Fame. This prestigious induction occurred during a presentation and formal dinner in Bath, United Kingdom during the World Modern Pentathlon Championships.
This is the first time a person from Oceania has been inducted and Kitty is now one of elite number of less than 25 people in the prestigious International Federation Hall of Fame. Inductees need to have demonstrated a considerable influence within the sport at national and international level over an extended period.
Kitty has a long and distinguished history in the sport, starting as an athlete in 1982 and as a highly respected administrator. A former world number one athlete, Kitty competed in the Sydney Olympic Games – the first time that female pentathletes were admitted to the Olympic program. After winning a record 12 National titles and 7 World Cup medals Kitty retired after the Sydney Games. Since then Kitty has committed herself to the sport’s administration and governance – as National President for 14 years, and currently serving as Oceania President and International Federation Executive Board member.
During the award ceremony Kitty’s significant achievements in the sport were acknowledged by UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann:
“Kitty Chiller’s ground-breaking achievements as an athlete and her subsequent appointments to high profile sports management and leadership roles have seen her widely and highly respected as a trail blazer for women in sport in Australia and internationally. Kitty’s accomplishments and achievements in the world of sport over the last four decades are countless. What has driven her throughout her career is the strong passion for and belief in the good that sport can do. Kitty has given back greatly in a volunteer capacity after her competitive days finished. She has been involved with the sport of Modern Pentathlon as an athlete and leader for 41 years and remains very highly regarded in the Australian, and global, sport sector. It is for these and many other reasons she is being inducted into the UIPM hall of fame”
Kitty’s achievements within the broader sport and Olympic environment were also recognized at the Awards ceremony including her role as an Australian Olympic Committee Executive member, her membership of the IOC Athlete’s Entourage Commission, and her roles as the first ever female Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team in Rio 2016, and as Deputy Chef in London 2012. Kitty was also acknowledged as the recipient of the prestigious IOC Women and Sport Award in 2020 and as the only person to sit on two International Federation Executive Boards, having also served on the FIG Executive Committee from 2018 – 2023. Kitty was recently honoured with another prestigious international tribute, being awarded the FIG Silver Distinction Award for outstanding service to gymnastics.
Oceania Modern Pentathlon Federation Vice President Kaewruethai Collings congratulates Kitty for her induction into the UIPM Hall of Fame saying: “We thank Kitty her for the amazing work she has done for the region and our sport. We look forward to continuing to develop the sport within the Oceania region.”
After receiving the Award in Bath Kitty said: “I am extremely honoured and humbled to receive this Award. The sport of Modern Pentathlon has been a major part of my life for over 40 years and has afforded me a multitude of opportunities and experiences, and lifelong friends. To be recognized by my colleagues within the sport means a lot to me and is an Award that I greatly respect and cherish.”