Thomas selected for second berth at Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games
Victoria 2026 is Thomas’s ninth consecutive appearance at a game and follows their last spell at Birmingham 2022, where Australia topped England in the medals tally.
Thomas’ historic appointment as Chef de Mission in Birmingham made her the first woman to hold that role for Australia. Her appointment and achievement were recognized when she won the Leadership Award at the Australia Sports Performance Awards 2022.
As a sportswoman, Thomas has had a highly decorated career, winning nine gold, two silver and one bronze medals at three Commonwealth Games (Victoria 1994, Kuala Lumpur 1998 and Manchester 2002).
Her tally of eight Olympic medals (three gold, four silver, one bronze) is on par with two other Commonwealth Games legends, Dawn Fraser AC MBEAnd Susie O’Neill AMfurther cementing their status as legends of Australian sport.
She was the Australian Swimming Team Captain from 2001 to 2004, was crowned AIS Athlete of the Year three times (2001, 2002 and 2004), won The Don award in 2004 and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2007.
Prior to Birmingham 2022, Thomas served as Team General Manager for three Commonwealth Youth Games (2004, 2008 and 2011) and as Athlete Services Manager and General Manager – Team Services at four Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018).
“I am honored to once again be Chef de Mission for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria and look forward to welcoming the Games back to Victoria and Australia,” said Thomas.
“Birmingham 2022 showcased the best of Australian sporting talent as evidenced by the medal results and the tenacious spirit and determination displayed throughout which was inspiring to all.”
“I believe last year’s games built on the legacy and success of past teams. I look forward to leading the team again, creating a performance-driven and positive environment for our team members and games that will be remembered by all.”
CEO of Commonwealth Games Australia Craig Phillips AM praised Thomas for the team’s success at Birmingham 2022 while also welcoming their second appointment.
“Petria adeptly demonstrated her managerial skills leading the team at Birmingham 2022 and demonstrated the integrity, dedication and commitment required for the role,” said Phillips.
“She is highly valued by all team members and the leadership, knowledge and experience that Petria brings to the team ensures the best opportunities to excel both on and off the field.”
“Her second appointment as Chef de Mission is testament to that and will allow her to lead the Australian team to get back to the top of the medal list at home.”
Thomas and other key Commonwealth Games Australia staff are traveling through the Victoria region from today to begin team preparations for the Games, which are due to start in three years’ time.
The contingent will meet with representatives from local councils, traditional ownership groups and other community leaders to present Commonwealth Games Australia’s plans for home games and ways in which locals can get behind the green and gold.
The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from 17th to 29th March 2026 in five regional centers – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland and Shepparton – and will feature 22 sports.
Golf and coastal rowing will make their Commonwealth Games debuts, while BMX will make its debut in the cycling program. Shooting will gradually return to the sports program of the Games in 2022.
Athletics, badminton, 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, cricket T20, cycling (mountain, road and track), diving, artistic gymnastics, hockey, bowling, netball, powerlifting, rugby 7, squash, swimming, table tennis, triathlon and weightlifting complete the offer.
Australia was represented at the 2022 Commonwealth Games by 429 athletes, with the team topping the medal list with 67 gold, 57 silver and 54 bronze medals.
Petria Thomas at the Commonwealth Games
athlete
| Year | Venue | Result | case |
| 1994 | Victoria, Canada | gold
gold |
100m butterfly
4x100m medley relay |
| 1998 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | gold
gold Silver |
100m butterfly
4x100m medley relay 200m butterfly |
| 2002 | Manchester, England | gold
gold gold gold gold Silver Bronze |
50m butterfly
100m butterfly 200m butterfly 4x100m freestyle relay 4x100m medley relay 4x200m freestyle relay 200 m freestyle |
Team Official – Commonwealth Games
| Year | Venue | position |
| 2006 | Melbourne, Australia | Athlete Service Manager |
| 2010 | Delhi, India | Athlete Service Manager |
| 2014 | Glasgow, Scotland | Athlete Service Manager |
| 2018 | Gold Coast, Australia | General Manager – Team Services |
| 2022 | Birmingham, UK | mission chief |
Team Official – Commonwealth Youth Games
| Year | Venue | position |
| 2004 | Bendigo, Australia | Team General Manager |
| 2008 | Pune, India | Team General Manager |
| 2011 | Isle of Man, Isle of Man | Team General Manager |