SHE is best known as an Olympic gold medal winner but next month Natalie Cook will become Agony Aunt, bush psychologist and the lady to answer your SOS when the local wi-fi cuts out.

Cook went to five Olympics as a beach volleyballer but her latest role as Australia’s athlete consultant at next month’s Rio Games could turn out to be as important as any of her Games appearances.

Australia has abandoned its use of high-profile athlete mentors such as Steve Waugh and John Eales, while Laurie Lawrence has also decided to step down in his long-time role as team motivator.

In their place they have chosen Cook in a small team who will fill a combination of both roles.

Most of all, Australia wants Cook to put a smile on their athlete’s dials.

Given more than half of the 410 athletes have never been to Rio and have read about issues ranging from dodgy water to mosquito viruses to muggings, many will land with great trepidation.

Australia has turned to someone who went to Rio more than 20 times in her beach volleyball career to prick the balloon of billowing tension and spread the word that for all of its foibles, Rio has much to like about it.

“All the warnings have come so for me it’s about staying uplifting, happy and positive,’’ Cook said.

“This is the utopia of their athletic career. They cannot let the fear of a mosquito bite weigh them down. My job will be to keep them smiling in a happy place. If they are enjoying what they are doing then we are going to see gold medals.’’

“Laurie Lawrence has been the mascot figurehead from a motivational perspective. I saw a video of him recently and I thought there is no way I could fill his shoes but I will try and motivate and inspire athletes as they require it.

“By the time you get to the Olympics you don’t need motivation. You needed it three years ago when things were not going right.

“I can see myself doing many trips to the dining halls with athletes and talking through whatever they want to talk through.

“Our job is to make sure they don’t have any problems. It could be family issues to meet families for tickets, uniforms not fitting, something’s wrong with our Wi-Fi.

All of that will be stuff we have to do.

“It is important. I feel I will have a role in 400 athletes performances rather than just my own. You want to get rid of their distractions and lower stress levels.’’

Cook has never had any security problems and enjoys Rio despite challenges that have been magnified through political uncertainly in recent years.

“I love the people of Rio and I know they will want to do their country proud. Yes the country is in financial and political turmoil.

“I have got a Brazilian friend who was living in Australia and when she went back there recently she noticed a decline in the standard of living in the four years she had been away in Australia.

“It’s very sad but still when the opening ceremony happens Brazil will be the greatest place on earth for those three weeks.’’

Cook said among the local delights that will win the favour of the locals will be the Brazilian food.

“I love the food and everyone can look forward to the Brazilian flair with the dining hall. London had the London spread and in China we had Peking duck coming out of our ears.

“In Brazil their cuts of meat are great like the Japanese treat fish. It is all about the cut and the grade. The beans, the rice and the salads are outstanding.’’

robert.craddock@news.com.au