Jemima Montag, OLY
SDGs:
IOC Young Leader Bio:
An IOC Young Leader from 2021 to 2024, Jemima Montag is an Olympian, Australian record-holder in the 20km race walk, and a full-time medical student. She combines her passions for health, physical activity and gender equality to advocate for opportunities that empower young women to thrive in and through sport.
Outside sport and medicine, Jemima enjoys cooking for friends and family and exploring the art scene in her hometown of Melbourne.
Project: Play On
During her time as a Young Leader, Jemima developed Play On, an e-resource designed to equip girls aged 15-18 with the knowledge and skills they need to stay engaged in sport and recreation. The platform addresses barriers that uniquely affect young women in sport through four dedicated modules: female athlete health, mental health, nutrition and inclusivity.
Each module includes presentations from 14 diverse female experts – including Australian Olympians and Paralympians, sports physicians, dietitians, body image specialists and leaders such as the Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation. With lesson plans and summary sheets accompanying each session, participants can carry the key messages into their daily lives.
By making expert-led resources accessible, Play On has contributed to a generation of confident and empowered young women, helping to close the participation gap and ensure girls remain active in sport during their teenage years and beyond.