Optus announce Olympic Ambassadors on the road to Tokyo 2020

With 150 days to go until the Tokyo 2020 games commence, Optus is proud to announce a group of six inspiring Olympians who will represent the company’s sponsorship of the Australian Olympic team.

Existing Optus ambassadors Ian Thorpe and Mack Horton will be joined by Rugby Sevens player Ellia Green, Matildas player Stephanie Catley, track athlete Joseph Deng, as well as aspiring Olympic skateboarder Poppy Starr Olsen.

The ambassadors will support the Olympics Unleashed program, which Optus and the AOC are delivering in partnership, as well as represent the Optus brand throughout their Olympics campaign.

The Olympics Unleashed program brings students face to face with Olympians, inspiring students and using their Olympic journey to help improve students’ ability to set goals, overcome challenges and build self-esteem. The athletes have already visited more than 120,000 students across NSW, SA, ACT and Queensland schools.

“We are really proud of this wonderful group of ambassadors, and role models, we have assembled ahead of Tokyo 2020,” Optus’ Managing Director Marketing and Revenue Matt Williams said.

“These athletes will inspire the next generation by sharing powerful stories of determination, personal growth and success through the Olympics Unleashed program.

“They will also connect Australian audiences with the action and excitement of Tokyo 2020 as we support each of them on their journey towards, and during, the Games.”

For footballer Stephanie Catley, joining with Optus presents a great opportunity to inspire the next generation.

“As a group of Optus ambassadors, we are fortunate to align with a company like Optus who share our passion and goals as we prepare for Tokyo 2020,” Catley said.

“It is equally important for us to spread the Olympic spirit by taking part in the Olympics Unleashed program, and to inspire the students to follow their passions and dreams.”

While for skateboarder Poppy Starr Olsen, she looks forward to linking with Optus on her road to Tokyo.

“It is exciting to have skateboarding feature in the Games for the very first time and it is wonderful to have a company like Optus getting behind our sport,” Starr Olsen said. 

The 2020 summer Olympics will take place from 24 July 2020 in Tokyo. Optus is an Official Partner of the Australian Olympic team and the Australian Paralympic team until 2026, after committing to a 10-year agreement with the Australian Olympic Committee.

OPTUS’ 2020 OLYMPIC AMBASSADORS

Stephanie Catley – Stephanie is a defender for the Matildas, having represented the Australian football team on 77 occasions, including at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and two World Cup campaigns.

Joseph Deng – Joseph, an 800m track runner, was born in a refugee camp in Kenya after his mother left South Sudan to escape war. At age six his family moved to Australia, settling in Toowoomba and ran his first race aged nine. Joseph currently holds the Australian 800m record.

Ellia Green – Ellia, a Rugby Sevens player, was born in Fiji and moved to Australia’s Central Coast at the age of five. Ellia has been there for all the Aussie 7s big moments, including winning the Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Mack Horton – Mack is an Olympic gold medal winning swimmer and is one of Australia’s most recognised and successful middle-distance swimmers.

Poppy Starr Olsen – At 19 years of age, Poppy is the Australian National Champion and ranked fourth for Women’s Park in the World Skate Federation.

Ian Thorpe – Ian is a five-times Olympic gold medallist, the most by any Australian Olympian, and an Order of Australia recipient.

OLYMPICS UNLEASHED

The Olympics Unleashed program originally launched in Queensland in October 2018 followed by NSW and ACT in 2019 before SA in February 2020. So far more than 800 schools have had Olympians and aspiring athletes face to face with students in classrooms through the Olympics Unleashed program.

Schools in NSW, QLD, SA and ACT can register today to have an Olympian visit their classroom. Find out more at www.olympicsunleashed.com.au.

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Media contact:
Tara White
Optus Corporate Affairs
(02) 8082 7850
media@optus.com.au