The Australian Olympic Committee "hopes athletes bound for the Rio Games will receive" a A$700,000 ($516,000) boost at the marking of the year-to-go countdown, according to Samantha Lane of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. AOC President John Coates "will host the Brazilian ambassador to Australia, the NSW premier, the head of the Australian Sports Commission and about 60 Australian Olympians at a black-tie function to observe the traditional milestone in Sydney on Wednesday night." More than 60 tables have been purchased at A$15,000 ($11,000) each, "which will help make an audience of about 700 at the major fundraiser" for a team to be led by a female Chef de Mission, Kitty Chiller, for the first time. An assembly of "some of Australia's finest athletes, including track star Sally Pearson, basketballer Joe Ingles and hockey players Mark Knowles and Madonna Blyth, will be part of AOC activities earlier on Wednesday in Sydney." Seven Queensland majors interested in a bid "have been advised they should say by the end of next year whether they will follow through after conducting feasibility studies" (SMH, 8/4).
