The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirms that Australia will take 472 players for the Tokyo Olympics, the second largest team for an overseas Summer Games. Along with 254 women and 218 women will compete in 33 sports are already in Japan making their final preparations for the Games.
Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman said, “I would like to pay tribute to those athletes for whom the postponement and global environment prevented them from being a part of this team.”
He added, “Whether that’s through injury and retirement, lack of safe access to qualification events or through difficult personal circumstances, many have been forced to make that tough decision. I can promise these athletes that this team carries their legacy and their contributions in their hearts all the way to Tokyo and into the heat to Olympic competition.” As per the previous 28 Summer Games, only 51 indigenous Australians have represented the country.
The tennis number one Ash Barty, who recorded 16 Aboriginal athletes in the team for Tokyo. The youngest member of the Australian team, swimmer Mollie O’ Callaghan is one of 249 Australians making Olympic debut at the age of 17 in Tokyo.
Along with the huge team, AOC will ship 75,000 disposable masks and 544 bottles of hand sanitiser to Japan for use of their delegation, which includes 990 people with the inclusion of officials and coaches.
