AOT: Leading Australian consumer law firm Slater and Gordon has been announced as the Official Law Firm of the Australian Olympic Team during an event in Sydney. 

The official announcement was made as the Australian Olympic Committee marks 500 days until the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

Under the long-term partnership Slater and Gordon will support the Australian Olympic Team in the lead up to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 through to Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020. 

Slater and Gordon will also support the Australian Youth Olympic Teams as they prepare for events in Lillehammer 2016, Buenos Aires 2018 and on to 2020. 

The sponsorship includes providing expert support services for Teams as well as financial contributions to help the Australian Olympic Committee prepare athletes and provide the best environment at the Games for them to fulfil their potential. 

Slater and Gordon seniorexecutive Hayden Stephens said the partnership - the first of its kind between a law firm and the Australian Olympic Committee - was an exciting opportunity to contribute to Australia’s Olympic efforts. 

“We are a proud Australian company and welcome the opportunity to support Australian athletes from all backgrounds to compete and excel on the world stage,” Mr Stephens said. 

“As a company, we believe in a fair go for everyone and fair play - values that sit at the heart of the Olympic movement. 

“We will be providing support to both athletes and officials to help them better understand the legal aspects of the Olympic Team Membership Agreements. 

“The Olympic Team Membership Agreements are an important initiative that upholds the values of fair play and includes a signed Statutory Declaration that a member of the Team has never participated in doping.” 

Every Australian athlete and official is required to sign the Olympic Team Membership Agreement. 

“We are proud to be able to participate in an initiative that seeks to safeguard both the health and well-being of our athletes and the integrity of Australian Olympic sports,” Mr Stephens said. 

Chef de Mission of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team, Kitty Chiller said “We are very excited to welcome Slater and Gordon as the latest partner and a valued member of the Australian Olympic Team. 

“The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is committed to the fight against doping in sport and has been at the forefront of protecting the integrity of sport for many years and we are very happy to be working with Slater and Gordon to assist our athletes and officials as part of this process.” 

The partnership will continue through to the end of 2020 and the Australian Olympic Committee thanks Slater and Gordon for their long-term support.

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