Olympics Gold for Australia

On the eve of the 2004 Athens Olympics, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said the Games were already bringing home gold for Australia.

"More than 35 Australian companies have won Athens 2004 contracts worth over $200 million," Mr Vaile said.

"These local companies are carrying the torch for Australia by demonstrating the world class goods and services we have to offer.

" They are also delivering additional employment opportunities, particularly in regional Australia."

Among the Olympic winners, is Melbourne-based Concept Sports who secured the merchandising rights for Athens 2004. Their contract, worth an estimated $100 million, has seen the company double its Australian workforce in the past 12 months.

The Cleanevent Group won the cleaning and waste management contract for the Games. Worth an estimated $80 million, this deal has created more than 100 cleaning, supervisory and project management jobs across Australia plus thousands more in Athens.

Australian-owned company Sportsworks is generating Olympic business worth more than $15 million with its accommodation solutions services.

Steriline Racing, based in regional South Australia, has supplied and installed the starting gates for the new racecourse at the Athens Olympic equestrian venue.

Leading professional services firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has assisted in the delivery of the roof for the main Athens Olympic stadium and velodrome. Sydney's TAFE Global secured multi million dollar contracts to help train nearly 80,000 Olympic staff and volunteers.

"Austrade's Athens office has been working closely with these great Australian companies over the past three years and has been integral to their success," Mr Vaile said.

"These contracts will more than quadruple Australia's exports to Greece, which are currently valued at $50 million.

"I commend these Australian exporters and look forward to watching our Olympic team build on their successes in the coming weeks , " he said.

Media contact: Matthew Doman (Minister's Office) + 61 2 6277 7420 or Jemima Lohse (Austrade) +61 2 9390 2703