To mark the 200 day countdown to Sochi 2014, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has launched the official Sochi 2014 Team website, and with it, named the 120 Australian athletes in contention to compete at the next Olympic Winter Games in Russia. 

Approximately 50 athletes will get to Sochi, meaning the next 200 days represent a crucial dash for Olympic qualification and training- all of which will be covered on the new Sochi 2014 Australian Olympic Team website: http://sochi2014.olympics.com.au/ 

Australia’s Winter Olympic medal-winning streak dates back to Lillehammer 1994. With Sochi in sight, the AOC is determined to give what is set to be the biggest and most competitive Australian Olympic Winter Team the exposure it deserves. 

“There is no doubt that this is the best qualified group of athletes ever vying for selection in an Australian Olympic Winter Team,” Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman, who will lead his fifth Team in Sochi, said.

“It represents an exciting mix of really experienced athletes from some of our traditional sports, some elite athletes in the new sports being added to the Olympic program for the first time in Sochi, and some strong emerging talent.”

Currently there are 120 athletes across 11 disciplines who have been nominated by their respective national federations as being ‘Sochi hopefuls’. They include all medallists from Vancouver 2010, multiple World Champions, World Cup and World Championship medallists, Olympians on the comeback, a summer Olympian chasing a new winter challenge, Winter Youth Olympic representatives and siblings all doing everything possible to earn selection.  

“When we came together at our Team Assemblies, the excitement amongst the athletes was palpable,” Chesterman said. 

“Now we need athletes to qualify over the coming southern hemisphere and northern hemisphere competition seasons.

“We won’t know our final numbers right up to January 20 when qualification ends for most sports, but I’ve no doubt we’ll have record numbers in Sochi, and I’ve no doubt that Russia will put on a great Games.”

With the domestic season set to begin, the AOC has launched this innovative responsive design website earlier than usual to promote these fantastic young Australians and to showcase Australia’s rich Olympic history. 

There is a dedicated page for every athlete and detailed guides to every Winter Olympic sport and venue. In addition to news, videos and galleries, there are over 40 blog entries from Australia’s Olympic hopefuls- getting to know an Australian Olympic Team has never been easier. 

One of the most fascinating bloggers is skeleton athlete, John Farrow who is chasing his first Olympic selection. 

“It is a great site and so easy to use,” Farrow said after being given a sneak peek to give the AOC an athlete’s perspective. 

“This resource is so important for winter sports in Australia, as our winter sports are not as well known as our summer sports. This website enables Australians to find a lot of news, videos, results and athlete information in the one easy to use spot.

“It is important to have a website like this for the Australian Olympic Winter Team, not only for our friends and family to easily be able see how we are doing in the lead-up to the Games, but for all Australians to be able to get behind our Team and support us all in the lead up to Sochi.

”There are new exciting events for Sochi and the sports pages are the place to learn about these and the format of each event. The selection process is explained and a list of some of the key events where athletes will fight for qualifying performances.

The Social Media Hub will continue to grow as the Games get closer so the Australian public can support and connect with the Team. Detailed schedules will evolve as athletes are selected, and during the Games there will be results and medal tallies direct from the Russian organisers. Comprehensive multimedia and social media coverage from AOC media staff in the snow and behind the scenes in Sochi will continue over the next 200 days before peaking for the 16 days of competition.