Track sprinter Kalinda Robinson named as IOC Young Leader

Bathurst track sprinter Kalinda Robinson has been selected as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leader for 2025-2028.

The 21-year-old is one of only 25 young changemakers, chosen from more than 5,000 applicants from 169 nations, recognised as an IOC Young Leader for using sport to drive positive impact in their communities.

Raised in the Central West of New South Wales and now based in Brisbane, Robinson is a dedicated advocate for the power of sport to bring people together, including through the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) Thrive with Pride program.

As an IOC Young Leader, she will receive support to develop and implement a social impact project that promotes the Olympic values. Since its inception in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders program has empowered young people across the globe to leverage the power of sport for good, with projects spanning sustainability, mental health, social inclusion and gender equality.

As a ‘Podium Potential’ categorised athlete under AusCycling’s performance pathway, Robinson is aiming to represent Australia at the Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympic Games.

Robinson (right) representing the ARA Australian Cycling Team in the track team sprint. (Aaron Gillions)

As well as chasing her Olympic cycling dreams, Robinson is part of the Australian Olympic Committee’s Olympics Unleashed program, sharing her message as an aspiring Olympian of sport’s capacity to promote resilience and inclusivity with school students.

Robinson said she was grateful for the chance to make a change through sport.

“I love sport and I love helping people, bringing those two things together is an incredible opportunity,” Robinson said.

“Sport has always been a part of my life, I’ve been cycling since I was six. I’ve seen firsthand how sport can bring people together, helping people from different backgrounds feel included and find their community.

“As part of the AIS Thrive with Pride program, I’ve enjoyed promoting the importance of LGBTQ inclusion in sport – not just for elite athletes but across our communities. Through the IOC Young Leaders’ program, I want to help people to feel included through sport – whether it’s Brisbane, Australia or worldwide.

“I remember being that young kid that looked up to athletes like Anna Meares and Kaarle McCulloch; I really admire the values they lived by and that’s what I’ve tried to do myself.

Robinson in action at the AusCycling Track National Championships. (Mackenzie Sweetnam)

“It’s awesome to be a small town country kid with the chance to make a difference on the world stage, I’m so excited to see what I can achieve with this incredible opportunity.”

Robinson follows in the footsteps of Olympic racewalker Jemima Montag, who developed the ‘Play On’ program promoting gender equity and inclusion in sport as an IOC Young Leader from 2020-2024.

“The IOC Young Leader experience was rare and energising,” Montag said. “To get to know 24 other young people who were similarly passionate about the power of sport for social change was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“My advice for Kalinda is to leverage the power of our Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games in the project development. If you feel really passionate about a subject, you'll never get tired of working on a solution for it!

“I graduated from this program with a project that I still feel immensely passionate about, and hope to turn into a sustainable not-for-profit that supports girls to play on.”

According to the IOC, the IOC Young Leaders will receive a bespoke four-year capacity-building program that includes expert guidance and coaching, access to an extensive sport and sport-for-development network, and seed funding of USD 10,000, which will help them turn their ideas into impactful and sustainable initiatives.

Photo: Aaron Gillions