In partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Westpac will be bringing the Summer Olympics to Australians across the nation as the presenting partner of Olympics Live, a national programme of live sites planned for major capital cities and regional areas where Australians can come together.

The agreement has been signed ahead of this year’s Olympic Games in Japan's capital Tokyo.

Each live site will be unique to the community and will offer residents a place to watch the Olympics on a big screen, meet Olympians, enjoy Japanese cultural experiences and try out Olympic sports.

Beginning across the country from July 24, the day the Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony is due to take place, many live sites are planned to be hosted by regional communities.

Westpac will be working with local businesses and residents in each community to help cater and run the live events.

"We’re proud to be bringing the action, excitement and adrenaline of the 2020 Olympic Games to Aussie communities through our partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee," David Lindberg, chief executive of Westpac's consumer division, said.

"Supporters will be able to visit one of our live sites in major cities and regional areas across the country to cheer on our athletes and be part of the celebrations."

As part of the AOC’s ongoing commitment to rural and regional Australia, the sporting equipment used at live sites will be donated to local sporting clubs, schools or community groups to help rebuild community spirit and a commitment to sport in these regions.

"We’re excited to partner with Westpac to launch Olympics Live," AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said.

"The live sites across the country will not only encourage all Australians to cheer on the team, but offer the opportunity to connect with Olympic sports as participants.

"From our major cities, to clubs and communities, we will be encouraging people to embrace the Olympic spirit and the sports themselves with an Olympic festival."

Carroll added: "With Westpac’s support, we’re particularly excited at the possibility of bringing the Olympic spirit to regional communities.

"The Olympic spirit is about resilience, giving back and creating a positive legacy, and we believe these are shared values amongst Australians and will help to energise and strengthen the efforts to rebuild regional communities."

As the official banking partner of the Australian Olympic team, Westpac is also working with the AOC to help Olympians prepare for life during and after competition. 

Supporting the AOC’s opportunities programme as the financial literacy partner, Westpac plan to help to create "financial essentials" education tools in collaboration with Olympians and financial experts.

These will support athletes with everything from getting on track with money management and staying on top of debt to learning how to save for a house.

"Beyond celebrating the Games, we also want to support the athletes," Lindberg said.

"Helping Olympians prepare financially for life during and after competition is a great way that we can assist these Australian sporting stars."

Carroll discussed the importance of financial literacy and the opportunity for Olympians.

"The Westpac partnership also offers the AOC the opportunity to help Olympians make better financial decisions to support their future," he said.

"The Olympian opportunities programme, now with the support of the Westpac, will produce a financial literacy programme that will help Olympians build sound financial knowledge to help them plan their financial future.

"Balancing work, training, family and planning your financial future is particularly challenging for athletes.

"This innovative new programme from Westpac is really going to help meet these challenges."