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Today (eds. Monday 18 January) marks 200 days to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero and as the pressure comes on sports and athletes New Zealand Olympic Team Chef de Mission Rob Waddell says New Zealanders can look forward to an outstanding Olympic year.
“There’s no doubt, time is of the essence,” said Waddell, the three time Olympian who is heading to his first Olympic Games as Chef de Mission. “We are on deadline and there is no going back. It’s a crucial time for the athletes, but also for the New Zealand Olympic Committee, national sporting organisations and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee.”
Waddell last visited Rio in December and says progress in the South American city continues to be made. “The athletes’ village is close to completion and is of a very high quality. We’re looking forward to creating a uniquely New Zealand environment that will give our athletes the edge.”
“There has also been strong progress made across competition venues and we are confident everything will be in place for athletes come games time. With 200 days to go, the Rio Organising Committee, however, must remain focused on the task at hand.”
“Our job is to understand the environment as final adjustments are made to games delivery. We must make sure sports and athletes have the information and resources they need to deliver the best results possible.
Latest calculations by the New Zealand Olympic Committee confirm initial estimates that the team would number just over 200 athletes, making the New Zealand Olympic Team at Rio the largest ever.
With an official High Performance Sport New Zealand target of 14 medals achievable, the games could also be our most successful.
“Last year’s World Championship results indicate strong performances across our top sports and while the standard of competition in Olympic year is always another step up, we are confident New Zealanders athletes will deliver some outstanding results at Rio.”
He notes that a range of young athletes are among those working towards selection.
“I was delighted to see 19-year-old pole vaulter Eliza McCartney break the U20 world record and strengthen her chances to make the New Zealand Olympic Games Team and fellow teenager Dylan Schmidt and Youth Olympic gold medallist has qualified to compete at a sought-after Rio trampoline test event in April, again, helping him on his road to Rio.
“I know from experience just how tough it is to achieve a spot in the New Zealand Olympic Team but I am looking forward to welcoming many young athletes like Eliza and Dylan to their first Olympic Games alongside some of our more experienced Olympians.”
Over the next two months New Zealand Olympic Team Rio workshops will get underway with athletes and support staff receiving briefings on the games-time environment and what it means to be part of the New Zealand Olympic Team. In March the New Zealand Olympic Team selections get underway and a final site visit to Rio is scheduled.
About the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games take place August 5 – August 21 2016.
They will be the first Olympic Games to take place in South America.
10,500 athletes from 206 nations around the world will gather in Rio next August.
Competition will take place over 17 days in 28 sports including, for the first time, Rugby 7s and Golf.
306 medal events are on the programme with 918 medals to be won.
New Zealand will send a team of around 200 athletes which will be New Zealand’s biggest Olympic Team ever.
The previous biggest New Zealand Olympic Games teams were 184 at Beijing 2008 and at London 2012.
Our previous most successful Olympic Games was at London 2012 with a total of 13 medals including six gold, five silver and two bronze. New Zealand also won 13 medals at Seoul 1988 with three gold, two silver and eight bronze. The most gold medals won by New Zealand was at Los Angeles 1984 with eight golds and a total of 11 medals.
Rio 2016 selection announcements take place March – July 2016.
The vibrant host city of Rio de Janeiro is famous for its white sand beaches and breath-taking geography.
Banner image © Sailing Energy/Jesus Renedo
