The 2012 Australian Olympians have been officially sent off in style at last night’s Farewell Appeal Dinner held at the Sydney Convention Centre.

A host of London-bound Olympians were joined by past greats at the dinner which helped raise over $600,000 to support the athletes in their bid to win gold in London.

The star studded room was entertained and inspired by an array of leading sports men and women, host Karl Stefanovic, Olympic commentators and iconic Australian entertainers Christine Anu, Mark Seymour and Shane Jacobson.

Athlete Liason Officers Steve Waugh and Layne Beachley both provided the next crop of Australian sporting stars with some inspirational words as the days count down to London 2012.

"There is no greater feeling than victory, I certainly know that too," said Beachley.

"Surrender yourself to the world of limitless opportunity that awaits you in London. Allow your talent to be your guardian and allow your team to be your pillar of support. Do your nation proud and do yourself proud. Good luck to the Australian Olympic Team."

On debut in London, Canoe Slalom athlete Jessica Fox, still only 17, spoke of her dream to carve her own piece of Olympic history.

“Now I’m lucky to follow in my parent’s footsteps and compete at an Olympic Games, but it won’t be as they did. It won’t be representing France or Great Britain, but my country, Australia,” she said to a rapturous applause from the patriotic crowd.

“As champions and coaches they inspired me and now it’s my turn to live the Olympic dream, this amazing journey, and to be part of such a great Australian Olympic Team.”

Beamed in from afar, IOC president Jacques Rogge and Chairman of LOCOG Lord Sebastian Coe sent their best wishes, while AOC president John Coates spoke of what attendee John Treloar and his 1948 Olympic teammates endured at London’s last Games.

“Those were the post-war years. The athletes lived in army barracks and schools and accommodation and food were in short supply,” he said.

“Our athletes hitch-hiked to their Olympic venues and one team got a ride on the back of an army truck.”

Coates signed off giving the athletes heading to London this time around some guidance.

“We have very close ties with Great Britain, England as the mother country but don’t let that stop you. I want you to get over there and give them a real touch up. Let’s rain on their parade.” 

Olympic commentator Ray Hadley had a great time with the crowd as he played guest auctioneer, selling off some money-can’t-buy prizes to the generous guests. One prize - an Olympic Games package even featured a personal tour of the Athletes’ Village by Chef de Mission Nick Green.

With the pressure beginning to build for the world’s biggest sporting event, the night was a chance for the athletes to get glammed up and have a night off from rigorous training schedules.

“We’re very excited to be here and it kind of reminds us that the Olympics are coming up and it’s getting closer and closer by the day so we’re very happy to be a part of something like this,” said taekwondo athlete and Beijing Olympian, Carmen Marton.

“We’ve been working hard for this for the last five years, six years, so to be able to finally be here is just an amazing feeling,” added taekwondo teammate and Marton’s husband-to-be Safwan Khalil.

Matt Bartolo
Olympics.com.au