Aussie birthday girl all smiles in Rio

A stuffed toy doesn't quite sound like the perfect gift for a 21-year-old.

But Australian swimmer Leah Neale had no complaints on Monday.

The Olympic debutant gleefully accepted team mascot "BK", a stuffed boxing kangaroo, at a special team presentation at the Rio athletes village.

The thought was nice - the backdrop was even better.

Stunning views of Rio were on offer at the team presentation on the 18th floor of their building.

Neale admitted she was still pinching herself as the world No.2 Australian team arrived at the Rio pool for the first time on Monday night.

"I would never have expected coming to Rio for my birthday so that's pretty cool," she said.

Neale is expected to feature in the 4x200m freestyle team which hopes to avenge their London silver medal finish four years ago.

Of course, that's not the only result Australia hopes to rectify in Rio.

They nabbed just one gold in the London pool - their worst Olympic result in 20 years.

A "toxic" team environment was to blame - something Neale could hardly comprehend with her stuffed kangaroo tucked away nearby at the Rio pool.

"No one is putting expectations on each other," the Sunshine Coast swimmer said.

"It doesn't feel like going to the Olympics.

"It feels just like another meet. It's a lot of fun so far."