That number, which includes South Coast talents Grace Stewart, Jye Edwards, Sally Fitzgibbons, Owen Wright, Shane Rose and Kieran Woolley, is the second-largest to ever leave Australian shores - just short of the 482 athletes who competed in the Athens Games in 2004.

Two hundred and fifty-four of those selected athletes are females, representing the largest number ever on an away team and the highest percentage (53.5 per cent) to compete for Australia - eclipsing the previous highest mark of 50.90 per cent at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The Tokyo Games will also see a record 16 First Nations athletes (previous mark was 12 in Sydney 2000) compete in 11 of the 33 sports on offer, including first-time ones karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing.

Australian Olympic team chef de mission Ian Chesterman paid tribute to all the selected athletes who have endured the uncertainties of a one-year postponement, disrupted competitions, qualifying opportunities and access to training venues.

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"This has been extremely difficult for every athlete and each has their own individual story to tell. But they have made it," Chesterman said.

"Through their determination and commitment, they are going to Tokyo.

"Even before these Games are declared open on July 23, this Australian team has made its own history.

"They are a special team and Australians can be very proud of them.

"I would also like to pay tribute to those athletes for whom the postponement and global environment prevented them from being a part of this team.

"Whether that's through injury and retirement, lack of safe access to qualification events or through difficult personal circumstances, many have been forced to make that tough call.

"I can promise these athletes that this team carries their legacy and their contributions in their hearts all the way to Tokyo and into the heat of Olympic competition."

Chesterman says he and the management team on the ground in Tokyo are focused on giving every athlete their opportunity to succeed in their Olympic moment.

"The AOC has talked about not setting medal targets and placing unhelpful expectations on these athletes," he said.

"Given the events of the past 18 months, this has been the correct path.

"Getting to the start line has been so difficult.

"If we can create the right environment, our team has the chance to achieve the goals they have set for themselves, whether that's a personal best or a medal.

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"They don't need pressure from us, they need us to do our job for them.

"To assist in that task we have a vastly experienced team with deputy chefs Susie O'Neill, Evelyn Halls and Ken Wallace - all Olympians.

"Added to this, Olympian Kyle Vander Kuyp joins the management team as our first Indigenous liaison officer.

"We have 16 Indigenous Olympians on this team and Kyle's experience and understanding will certainly be welcomed, by those athletes and the broader group."

Other notable statistics heading into the July 23-August 8 competition include Nowra Athletics Club product Jye Edwards being part of the country's biggest-ever track and field team (63) at an away Games, 62.2 per cent of the green and gold team are attending their first Games and 86 per cent of the team were born in Australia.

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