Wednesday marks 100 days until the start of the Rio Olympic Games and the Australian Team has lots of new faces.
Of the 126 athletes selected so far, 80 are debutants. They make up 63% of the Team to date.
"We are itching to get to Rio and show what our young Team can do," Chef de Mission, Kitty Chiller said.
"When you meet the first timers, they are excited, they are up for the challenge, they are certainly not daunted by the prospect of competing in Rio."
To date 60 athletes who have their ticket booked to Rio are aged under 25. The youngest being shooter Aislin Jones at 16, and her teammate Warren Potent at 54.
When the final athletes are announced in mid-July, the Australian Team will comprise around 440 athletes.
"It is fantastic to see the Team take shape and the wonderful mix of youth, experience and talent across the board," Chiller said.
As a comparison, at the London 2012 Games, Australia had 227 debutants out of a Team of 410 or 55% of the selected Team.
"We have worked hard for the past three years building a culture in this Team. The athletes are bonding, they are enthusiastic, they are great to be around, and there is a really good feeling in this Team."
Rio will be the first Olympics held in South America. Chiller, will also be the first Australian female Chef.
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Chiller is very focused on performance and not shying away from a goal for Australia to finish in the top five nations on the overall, and, gold medal tally.
"We are confident that all the work since London on a high performance focus and a united Team will pay off. Top 5 is our ambitious target but we are doing everything possible to get there.
"A life best experience and hundreds of individuals being part of One Team is what we have also been tirelessly working towards.
"For the past two summers we have traveled the country on the Road To Rio culture and values roadshow to build that One Team.
"The athletes have embraced it, learned a lot and gained from the experience of others. It was important for all prospective team members to know about Australia’s 120 year history and what they can do to make a positive addition to this remarkable story."
The Australian Olympic Team brand was refreshed last August and there is an exciting focus for the Australian Olympic Committee and sponsors to bring the fans along for the whole journey to Rio.
Athletes are super excited about the Games and will let people know on social media throughout the day with video messages on the @AUSOlympicTeam channels.
To celebrate the #100daystogo milestone on Wednesday, fans will be able to send selected athletes a message of support and encouragement at olympics.com.au. This will continue as selections continue and throughout the Games. Fans can post to individual athletes, by sport or to the whole Team. Athletes will get a lift knowing the country is behind them on the last important stretch of the long journey to Rio.
A new Australian Olympic Team online shop will also be launched this week as another way for fans to get involved with the Team at shop.olympics.com.au.
On Wednesday in Melbourne, Team sponsor Crumpler will unveil a product that all athletes and officials will love. Other sponsors will activate their campaigns including Channel Seven on their on-air promo of How To Be An Olympian.
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