Pittman won two gold medals over 400 metre hurdles at the World Championships as well as four Commonwealth Games titles but, despite fourth place at Athens 2004, has never won an Olympic medal.

After initially trying both rowing and boxing after retiring from athletics in 2012, the 31-year-old joined up with partner Astrid Radjenovic to focus on the bobsleigh ahead of the Sochi Games next month.

Pittman will now join Paul Narracott, who also competed in athletics and bobsleigh at Los Angeles 1984 and Albertville 1992 respectively, as the only athletes to have represented Australia in a Summer and Winter Games.

Pittman was one of 49 athletes added to what will be the biggest ever Australian Winter Olympic team at Sochi today with other selections coming from the sports of alpine skiing, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, luge, skeleton and snowboard.

Australia will send a record team in pursuit of medals at Sochi 2014 ©AOC


They join the seven athletes previously selected from figure, short-track and speed skating, with two additional alpine athletes to be announced following the outcome of an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Olympic medallists in freestyle skiing Dale Begg-Smith and Lydia Lassila, as well as snowboarder Torah Bright, will lead the way as Australia target their biggest ever medal haul in Sochi, while 70 per cent of the team will be making their Olympic debuts in Russia.

Some of the newest events on the Olympic programme also hold great promise for Australia - with 2011 World Champion Anna Segal and X Games medallist Russ Henshaw among those vying for the first ski slopestyle medals. 

Snowboarder Torah Bright will be one of Australia's biggest hopes in Sochi as she seeks a successful title defence on the halfpipe...and will also compete in the inaugural slopestyle event ©Getty Images


Ian Chesterman, Chef de Mission of the Australian team, described being "thrilled" to take charge of an Olympic team for the fifth time. 

"It is really exciting to have our biggest ever team for an Olympic Winter Games, and that is full credit to all who have worked so hard to create opportunities for these young Australians to pursue their dreams," he said after the squad was revealed.

"It is also full credit to the athletes, who have dedicated themselves to this goal, and who have now achieved it.

"It's a great blend of youth and experience, those that have been to many Games and those off to their first."

"Many athletes will go with the hope of making a final, and we have a number with hope of winning a medal.

"There is no doubt that if our athletes have their best day on their Olympic competition day then this will be the most successful Winter team ever.

After a series of rules have been introduced limiting alcohol consumption and social media usage, Chesterman also expressed confidence that the bad behaviour which riddled the Australian team at London 2012 will not be repeated.

"I'm sure that every team member understands the honour that comes with being chosen as a member of the Australian Olympic Team, and will represent their country with distinction both on and off the ice and snow", he added.  

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