Corporate Australia was out in force on Saturday night as they threw their support behind the 2016 Australian Olympic Team at the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner in Melbourne.

With 115 corporate tables sold, the event is the largest of its kind in Australia and aims to raise $2.5 million out of the national fundraising target of $8m.

The glitz and the glamour of the red carpet gave the athletes a chance to trade in their singlets, jerseys and runners for their best frocks and suits as they get a chance to thank those who have helped get them to Rio.

Those in attendance were treated to the company of some of the nation’s greatest ever athletes with Olympians from 1956-2016 to be sat on each table at the event.

Among those in attendance was our newest Olympic gold medallist Jared Tallent, who received his medal in a special ceremony on Friday, as well as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other dignitaries.

In an extremely special moment Olympic champions Cathy Freeman, Dawn Fraser, Nat Cook and Ian Thorpe came together to light the Olympic Cauldron.

Along with Fraser, fellow 1956 Olympians John Konrads, Ian Brown, Wendy Grant and Kevan Gosper were on hand as the 60th anniversary of the first Olympics to be held on Australian soil is commemorated by IOC Vice President and AOC President John Coates.

Also wowing guests were a host of world-class Australian performers and the voice of the Olympics, Channel Seven's Bruce McAvaney.

It costs $21m to send and $12m to prepare and send over 400 athletes and 300 officials to Rio.

The Australian Olympic Committee does not seek or receive federal government funding to prepare and send the Olympic Team. It is events like the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner and the generous support of sponsors which makes this possible.

AOC