AOC: 100 days out from the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Australian Team Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman, has announced his athletes are 'unashamedly' chasing a record medal haul in Sochi.

Speaking at a media conference in Sydney today, Chesterman also revealed that the Australian section of the Village will be dry of alcohol; he is relaxed about security and gay-rights; and athletes should expect the most stunning venues he has ever seen.

"We are anticipating our largest team ever with 55 athletes - it may creep higher and we hope it does," said Chesterman, who was flanked by Olympic Aerials Champion Lydia Lassila and World Cup medallists Anton Grimus (Ski Cross) and Britteny Cox (Moguls).

"The prospective Team includes highly credentialed athletes. Last season we won 25 World Cup or World Championship medals won by 15 athletes across a range of disciplines. It gives you an idea of the strength and depth we represent now in winter sports and we will be unashamedly chasing a record medal haul at these Games.

"There is a sense of self-belief and culture within our athletes and they believe they can win which is very important. We know our place an emerging winter nation but we definitely don't feel like a lonely sibling to the summer team here in Australia. We are delighted that these athletes are part of the Australian Olympic Team as one brand."

Chesterman, who will lead the Australian Team for the fifth time in Sochi, is very excited by the prospective Team.

Australian athletes have medalled at every Winter Games since 1994 and won three medals in Vancouver with Lassila's Aerials gold, Torah Bright winning the Halfpipe and Dale Begg-Smith silver in Moguls.

Lassila feels she is on track with her plan to be the first Australian, and freestyle skier, to defend an Olympic title and is 'jumping better than ever' and working on new tricks. Bright and Begg-Smith are also training hard to achieve more success in Sochi.

Chesterman will ensure all athletes have a fantastic experience in Sochi.

"We will also be chasing top 10 performances and for all our athletes, our aim is for them to have a wonderful Games. To be a member of an Olympic Team is a remarkable achievement."

Chesterman is confident about the two main issues being discussed leading into the Games - gay rights and security.

"We have been aware of and dealing with these in the lead-up to the Games. We are very comfortable with both situations and particularly the gay rights issue," Chesterman said.

"We have received strong assurances in the past from leading Russian officials and now with the President coming out very strong yesterday and giving his assurances, our athletes can go to the Games relaxed and able to enjoy themselves which is the way it should be."

The Australian Team won't be taking additional security services to Russia and will continue to work closely with the federal government and the Australian Embassy in Moscow.

"I was just in Russia last week and you have a tremendous sense of personal security and no concerns what so ever. At every Games security is an issue and I'm sure the Russians will apply an enormous amount of energy to secure it."

Last week 2016 Australian Team Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller announced that the Olympic Village in Rio would be dry of alcohol, to ensure the high performance culture is maintained for athletes competing in the second week of the Games.

"We are taking the same move in Sochi and the Villages will be dry of alcohol. We want to create an environment where it is all about performance. I've got to say it has not been an issue with the Teams I have been involved with since 1994, so I don't sense that it is a problem but the time is right to do it."

The Sochi Games will be the most expensive in history with $50 billion USD being spent to build 10 new competition venues, a stadium for the ceremonies, three Villages, a high speed train and freeways.

Chesterman is sure the athletes will benefit from the expense and be impressed by the venues and villages.

"It is an absolute transformation of the coastal cluster in Sochi and the mountain area. You can see where the money has been spent and the venues are stunning.

"All the competition venues are complete and it's just a matter of applying the finishing touches. Some of these touches are quite unique to a Winter Games as you see Palm Trees going in next to swimming pools in the Coastal Cluster on the Black Sea."

The first Australian athletes to be officially selected will be four Figure Skaters in early December. The complete Team will not be finalised until late January. A fascinating 100 day countdown is underway ahead of the Opening Ceremony on 7 February.