Ellie Cole swims with Optus ahead of Tokyo 2020

With just under one year to go until the 2020 Paralympic Games get underway in Tokyo, Optus is joining forces with para-swimming powerhouse Ellie Cole.

As Optus builds towards an exciting Tokyo 2020 campaign, Ellie joins Optus as an official Ambassador to champion the telcos role as team partner.

We are pleased to be able to support Ellies quest as she continues to chase her dreams in Tokyo next August, Optus Sponsorship and Retail Marketing Director Ben Lawless-Jennings said.

Ellie is not only a wonderful role model for Australian school kids, but an inspiration to all Australians.

Ellie began swimming eight weeks after her right leg was amputated due to cancer, it was part of her rehabilitation as a three-year-old. The Paralympic Games next year will be Ellies fourth; and she will be doing everything in her power to defend her title in the 100m backstroke in Tokyo.

Optus has been a wonderful supporter of the Paralympic team, and I am looking forward to championing their support of the entire team ahead of the Tokyo Games, Ellie said.

With only a year to go, the countdown is really on and I am excited to have Optus with me on this journey.

Ellie joins Ian Thorpe, Jade Hameister and Mack Horton as official Optus Ambassadors.

The 2020 Paralympic Games will take place from August 25 in Tokyo. Optus is an Official Partner of the Australian Paralympic team and the Australian Olympic team until 2026.

As part of Optus commitment to the Australian Paralympic Team, the telco has developed a platform called Paralympic Connect; an online coaching app that allows Para-athletes and their coaches to run live training and feedback sessions via two-way video.

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Lynne Anderson said: With so many of our Paralympians and Para-athletes spread far across the country, Optus was able to come up with a solution to better connect athletes to their coaches. The platform has transformed the way some of our athletes are preparing for major events, including Paralympic table tennis athlete Sam von Einem who continues to use the platform following his silver medal win at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Ellie Cole. Photo credit: Paralympics Australia.

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