The deal, announced at an Ignite Roadshow in Melbourne - where athletes and hopefuls could meet each other ahead of team selection, will see the supermarket giant supporting the national squad in the run up to next year's Games. 

"On behalf of the athletes, we welcome Woolworths as a valued member of the Australian Olympic team," Kitty Chiller, Australia's Rio 2016 Chef de Mission, said.

"Food and nutrition are vital for athletes as they strive to beat the best and our team will benefit greatly from the support of Woolworths.

"We are all on a winner with Woolies."

The partnership will continue through to the end of 2016, with Woolworths and members from the Olympic team taking part in a number of events together.

Australia is targeting a top five finish on the medals table at the Rio 2016 Olympics ©Getty Images


Tony Philips, Woolworths' chief marketing officer, welcomed the partnership.

"Woolworths are the fresh food people and we want to help inspire a healthy Australia," he said.

"Olympic athletes are at the absolute top of their game and we hope together we can inspire Australians to lead fit and healthy lifestyles.

"Our athletes know the benefits of great fresh, nutritious food and so do we.

"We've been a proud Australian company since we were founded more than 90 years ago.

"That year Australia sent 37 athletes to the [1924] Paris Olympics and they came home with six medals.

"Woolworths and the Australian team have come a long way since then and we're very proud to be able to support the team for Rio in 2016."

Woolworths now joins the likes of Coca-Cola, Dow, Panasonic, Visa, McDonald's and Samsung as Australian Olympic team partners.

The country is targeting a top five finish on the medals table at Rio 2016.

They finished fourth at both Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 but slipped to sixth at Beijing 2008 and 10th at London 2012.

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