RIO 2016: The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has a new home in Rio de Janeiro- The Edge. 

In a city that will be flooded with traffic, excitement and the nations of the world in August 2016, the Australian Olympic Team will have its own oasis just a stone’s throw from the Olympic Village. 

Normally a functions venue, come August 2016, Espaco Rio will transform into The Edge: a high performance hub equipped with medical, physio, recovery, sport science and nutrition facilities.

Boasting two small pools, two half-size football fields, a half-size basketball court, three large indoor halls, offices and a commercial kitchen, the Aussies secured the coveted destination ahead of bids from the French and Russian Olympic Committees. 

Available exclusively to Australian athletes, Chef de Mission, Kitty Chiller, believes this tranquil plot of land just 1.3km from the Village will boost Australia’s chances of reaching the top five on the medal tally. 

“We need all the space in the Village for our athlete accommodation, headquarters offices, and medical staff. We just don’t get the space,” Chiller explained of the need for additional recovery areas. 

The Edge will also host Australian Olympic Team inductions. This is a highpoint for all athletes when they are officially initiated into the Australian Olympic Team.

Once the Olympic Games finish, the AOC will hand the space over to the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) who will continue working there with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

This is another strong example of the AOC, APC and AIS collaborating on Campaign Rio- an initiative aimed at being the “Best planned; Best prepared; Best performed” Team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

Taya Conomos
@AUSOlympicTeam
olympics.com.au