Statement from Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller

The financial constraints of Brazil’s economy have been known for some time.

We understand the measures being taken by the Organising Committee to stay on budget and we hope that these adjustments in spending will not impact our athletes, or competition in any sports.

We have been visiting Rio for several years as part of our planning and I know all members of the Australian Olympic Team are looking forward to a spectacular Games.

We have been told that there will be air-conditioning in the communal operational area of our building. AOC staff saw them installed and operational on a visit earlier this week.

Rio organisers have told us they will be providing a fan in each of the bedrooms and the lounge room of each apartment. This was also confirmed in a meeting with the organising committee in Brazil this week.

I was in Rio in August this year, at the same time as the Games will be held. This is their winter so the temperature can be quite cool in the evenings. We do not anticipate any athletes suffering from any heat stress in the Village or anywhere in Rio.

There may be athletes who have to compete in hot conditions and for all sports we have extensive recovery plans in place, as we do at all Games.

We will have ice baths and medical staff in the Village and at the facility just outside the Village that we have secured for exclusive use by the Australian Team. We have called this facility ‘The Edge’ due to its recovery and high performance nature.

The AOC will have several large televisions in the Athlete Hub common area. We are working with the Seven Network to get their channels into the Village for the Australian athletes.

We think the Village is fantastic and the athletes will enjoy the wonderful facilities.

As well as ensuring our Team has a life best experience at the Games we are going to Rio to chase a top five on the medal tally so the core of our preparation since London has been all about performance excellence.

The AOC has budgeted $12M to prepare the Team and $23M to send the anticipated 450 athletes and support staff to Rio. Australian athletes who win medals in the lead-up to the Games can receive medal incentive funding. All Team members have their uniforms, transport, food, medical and accommodation covered for the Games.

The AOC does not seek or receive federal government funding, so it is because of our commercial partners and fundraising that the AOC can provide all of these additional facilities to help Australia’s athletes fulfil their dreams.

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