Simmonds, aged 31, will lead a team of aspiring Olympians into competition in the Slovakian city from 24-30 July 2022.

The appointment sees Simmonds complete her own EYOF journey having previously competed in the 2005 edition in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, before going on to represent Team GB at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

Simmonds, who is the Chair of the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission, said: “I am incredibly excited and honoured to have been appointed as Team GB’s Chef de Mission for Banská Bystrica 2022.

“A European Youth Olympic Festival is often an athlete’s first multi-sport experience, and learning how to thrive in this unique environment is a hugely important stepping-stone to future success at a senior Games.

“Having started my own journey with Team GB at an EYOF, it is a great privilege to have come full circle and now have the opportunity to help prepare our next generation of Olympians.”

The British Olympic Association’s CEO, Andy Anson, added: “Lizzie will be an inspirational leader for our young athletes attending the Festival. Multi-sport experiences are unique and few-and-far-between for young athletes, so this is an exciting opportunity for those selected.”

With 10 sports on the programme, Team GB will take part in the summer EYOF for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, having last competed in Baku 2019.

The sports include: Artistic Gymnastics; Athletics; Badminton; Basketball; Cycling; Handball; Judo; Swimming; Tennis and Volleyball.

With thanks to Team GB

Simmonds, 30, was elected to the role by Olympians sitting on the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission following a highly competitive process.

She will also become a full Board member of the BOA as an athletes’ representative, replacing the outgoing Ben Hawes, who steps down after completing his final term having Chaired the Athletes’ Commission since 2015.

Currently Vice-Chair of the BOA Athletes’ Commission, Simmonds will shadow Hawes through the remainder of 2021 before starting her term as Chair in 2022.

She made her Olympic debut as a 17-year old in Beijing in 2008, finishing 10th in the 100m backstroke as well as reaching the final before finishing sixth in the 200m backstroke.

Four years later at London 2012 she finished fourth in the 200m backstroke.

BOA Chairman, Sir Hugh Robertson, welcomed Simmonds’s appointment, saying: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Lizzie as our athletes’ representative on the BOA Board. It is a reflection of the changing face of both Team GB and sports governance more generally that she joins a majority female Board as the fourth Board member, after Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Lord Coe and Annamarie Phelps, to have represented Team GB at the Olympic Games.”

Hawes said: “Lizzie did an exceptional job in the interview against some strong candidates, and really proved what an asset she will be in this role and to the organisation. I am delighted she will have the opportunity to step up and work closely with the Board and the organisation to continue the important role of keeping athletes at the heart of everything the BOA does.”

Simmonds added: “I am hugely honoured to have been elected as the next Chair of the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission, taking over from Ben’s outstanding leadership at the end of this year. With the Tokyo and Beijing Games taking place in quick succession, and Paris 2024 on the horizon too, it’s an incredibly exciting time to be involved with British Olympic sport, and I am thrilled to be continuing my journey with Team GB. I look forward to working closely with the Athletes’ Commission, BOA Board and Leadership Teams to ensure that athlete perspective remains at the heart of decision-making across the organisation.”

The British Olympic Association (BOA) Athletes’ Commission is a Committee of the BOA Board created to bring the perspective and expertise of athletes to the many initiatives and programmes operated by the BOA. It was formed in 2010 and meets every two months.

The Commission has 13 members in total, made up of a mixture of past and present athletes from team and individual, summer and winter sports. The Chair is responsible for feeding the views of the Commission back to the BOA Board. The Chair and Vice-Chair are also athlete representatives on the BOA’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Courtesy of Team GB

Simmonds made her Olympic debut as a 17-year old at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, placing 10th in the 100m backstroke as well as reaching the final before coming sixth in the 200m backstroke. At the London 2012 Games she finished just shy of the podium when she placed fourth in the 200m backstroke.

The 28-year-old who has been a member of the BOA AC since November 2016 will support Chair Ben Hawes with the leadership and strategic direction of the Commission and will also act as an athlete representative on the BOA’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).

BOA AC Chair Ben Hawes said: “Lizzie is extremely passionate about supporting the athlete community and has played an active and engaged role on the Athletes’ Commission for the past two years. I look forward to working with her to continue to drive an athlete centric agenda within the BOA and the Olympic family.

Simmonds added: “Since being elected onto the BOA Athletes’ Commission in 2016 I have relished the opportunity to use my own experience and the athlete perspective to promote and support the BOA’s mission and I am delighted that I have been voted by my fellow Athletes’ Commission members to the role of Vice Chair. I look to forward to working with Ben and the Commission to ensure that the interests of Team GB athletes remain at the forefront of decision-making at the BOA for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.”

The VC’s term will run for two years from January 2019 to December 2020, with an opportunity for re-election for one further two-year term.

Courtesy of BOA