Olympic Fundraising Dinner - The Most Successful Ever

The Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner (PMOD) in Melboune tonight will raise a record $2 million dollars for Australia’s athletes competing at next month’s London Olympics.

There is unparalled support from corporate Australia for the 2012 Australian Olympic Team with the fundraising dinner at Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre a sell out.

The Chairman of the PMOD, Peter Fox has praised his Executive Committee after 124 corporations purchased tables at $25,000 each.

"We are a small nation compared to the super powers of sport but our athletes excel on the world stage and I applaud corporate Australia for the support they are providing our athletes at this dinner" Fox said. "All Australians recognise that our Olympic athletes are fine ambassadors for their country and they deserve our backing".

The President of the Victorian Olympic Council (VOC) and Chef de Mission of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team, Nick Green, thanked Fox and his committee on behalf of our 400 athletes in London for their "outstanding efforts" in supporting the Team.

"Athletes put careers and relationships on hold to chase their Olympic dream. Most struggle to put petrol in the car and food on the table and support like this is an enormous help financially but it also lifts their spirits because they know Australia is with them" Green said. "Like all Australians I will be beaming with pride when we march out on July 27".

Prime Minister , Julia Gillard, cannot attend the dinner due to commitments at the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference in Rio. She will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan. Ms Gillard will send a message of support via video.

Former Prime Ministers, Kevin Rudd and Paul Keating are also attending along with the leader of the Federal Opposition, Tony Abbott, and the Victorian Premier, Ted Baillieu.

The VIP’s will mingle with Olympic royalty. Dawn Fraser, Susie O’Neill, Marjorie Jackson- Nelson, Kieren Perkins, James Tomkins, Shane Gould and Alisa Camplin are just some of the gold medallists attending.

They will be entertained by Orchestra Victoria and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir, Delta Goodrem, Todd McKenney, David Hobson and Maria Prior and other outstanding performers.

The PMOD has been held every four years since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and has earned the reputation as "The Australian Dinner of the Quadrennium". Since its inception the PMOD has raised $11m to support the Australian Olympic Team.

"When I go overseas and people realise I am Australian the first thing they talk about is sport and the many champions we have produced over the years" Fox said. "They marvel at how such a small country can be so good at sport. We should be so proud of the feats of our athletes and the standing they have given us throughout the world. There is no doubt sport has opened many doors for business around the world and tonight we are giving something back" he said.

The President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates, added his praise to the efforts of the VOC and Peter Fox and his committee."This dinner is truly a legacy of Melbourne’s 1956 Games and the spirit and pride of all Victorians and I thank them for their generous support".

w: olympics.com.au f: facebook.com/australianolympicteam

t: @AUSOlympicTeam y: youtube.com/AUSOlympicTeam

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