ProvenanceThis item is part of the Amy Gillett memorabilia collection, donated to the History Trust of South Australia by Amy's parents, Mary and Denis Safe in 2020. Amy Gillett was an Australian cyclist and rower.
Amy wore this rowing suit at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where she finished 5th with her team mates in the women's 8.SignificanceThis object relates to Amy Gillett’s sporting career and legacy in her name.
Amy Gillett (nee Safe) was a South Australian track and road cyclist as well as a rower who represented Australia in both sports.
Amy was born on 9 January 1976 and grew up in Adelaide going to Annesley College.
Amy was a talented sportsperson and who won a scholarship to the South Australian Sport Institute. She was a world champion junior rower, winning a gold medal in the coxless pair in the Junior World Championships in 1993 and the women's single scull in 1994. Amy was a member of the Australian women’s eight crew at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. After missing out to be selected for the Sydney Olympics rowing team, Amy made the transition from rowing to cycling with rapid success.
From 2002 to 2005, Amy was a member of the Australian Institute of Sport elite cycling squad and represented Australia in the 2002 and 2003 Cycling World Cups.
Amy was killed during a cycling training session near Zeulenroda in Germany on 18 July 2005 when a car crashed into the cycling group. The Australian cycling team were preparing for the Thüringen Rundfahrt.
In honour of Amy, her parents and husband Simon Gillett established 'The Amy Gillett Foundation' in 2005 to advocate for cycling safety in Australia. Achievements of the foundations include the Amy Gillett Bikeway in the Adelaide Hills and the successful 'A meter matters' campaign that legislates car drivers in Australia to keep a minimum of one meter distance to cyclists, and 1.5 metres in speed zones over 60km.DescriptionThis is a rowing zoot suit made by Adidas. The suit has a green top and black bottom with yellow stripes on the sides and shoulders. On the left there is the Australian crest with the Olympic rings and Atlanta 1996 written underneath.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1996Date of Usage1996Materialpolyester DimensionType: Dimensions
Height: 700
Width: 380
Depth: 10 Accession NumberHT 2021.1136
