The Australian Olympic squad will have a majority of female athletes for the first time at a Summer Games, after it was announced on Tuesday (26th July) the women's eight rowing team had been selected to replace their banned Russian counterparts at Rio 2016.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Kitty Chiller, Australia chef de mission:(On Russian rowers not being allowed to compete allowing an Australian team to be called up):

"That brings to a total of 103 Russian cheats who will not be competing against our clean athletes at these games. What that likely means for Australia, we are still waiting on confirmation, our women's eight was the first reserve, so it looks very likely that we will get a women's eight into the games. That will pleasingly bring our percentage of female athletes in the team to 50.4% which will be the first time ever a Summer Olympic team from Australia has had over 50% female representation."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Jessica Fox, Australian canoeist:(On Australia having a majority of women's athletes in a Summer Olympic team for the first time):

"That's fantastic. I think women's sport in Australia is really taking off and female athletes have really had recognition the last couple years that it's really growing. To see all the female athletes who will be here in Rio, going for gold, going to represent their country the best they can and proud to be at the Olympics… obviously we are all here to do our best and I know they will all be great role models."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Kitty Chiller, Australia chef de mission:(On the repairs to the Australian accommodation in the Olympic Athletes Village):

"We are extremely happy with the progress that has been made in the last 24 hours in the village. I'm very pleased to announce as a result of that we will have those athletes arriving today moving into the village tonight. They will be there around eight o'clock tonight. Several of our HQ staff moved into their rooms this morning, my bags are being moved as we speak. So, great news on the village."