2012 New Zealand Olympic Campaign has officially begun

The 2012 New Zealand Olympic Campaign has officially begun! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for constant updates throughout the Games. Is this email not displaying correctly?
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Flag bearer set to inspire team

An athlete whose achievements have struck at the core at what it means to be Kiwi has been named flag bearer for the New Zealand Olympic Team to London.

Nick Willis, who powered home in a spine-tingling finish to the 1500m in Beijing in 2008 and went on to win an Olympic silver medal, has been presented with the New Zealand Olympic Team’s cloak in a ceremony in the Olympic Village in London.

He was honoured at a black tie gala dinner hosted by the Governor General of New Zealand, Lieutenant General, the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Chef de Mission Dave Currie said Willis was chosen for the honour as his achievements reflect the best in New Zealand’s sporting traditions.

“The role of flag bearer is to both lead and inspire the Olympic Team,” he said. “Nick’s results speak for themselves and his silver medal run in Beijing was a great moment in New Zealand sporting history. His drive and focus are complimented by quiet modesty, humour and generosity.

Willis was honoured to be named flag bearer.

The flag bearer is chosen by the Chef de Mission in conjunction with members of the Athlete Support Team. The selection of the flag bearer takes into account a combination of past success as an Olympic athlete as well as an ability to lead, inspire and support the athletes within the team.

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Olympic Campaign begins

The New Zealand Olympic campaign got underway on Thursday morning (NZT) with the Football Ferns taking on host nation Great Britain in the first event of the 2012 Olympics.

The Football Ferns fought gallantly to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of hosts Great Britain at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff - the same result when the two nations met at the world cup last year.

The New Zealand team had their chances early in the game and then a gilt-edged opportunity to tie the game late in the second spell. However, it was not to be and they will be chasing key points in their remaining two pool matches, in Cardiff and Coventry.

Meanwhile, New Zealand swimming team stars Glenn Snyders, Gareth Kean and Lauren Boyle spoke with confidence about their chances at their first official media conference. All spoke about the benefit of attending their second Olympic Games. The trio have five performances between them ranked in the top 10 in the world this year and are hoping to produce best times and improve world rankings further over the coming week.

Friday (NZT) is a big day for the team with the official announcement of the flagbearer live on breakfast television in New Zealand to all three networks – TV1, TV3 and Prime – at a lavish function in Whitehall.

Saturday morning (NZT) is the opening ceremony ahead of a busy first day of official action on Saturday night with New Zealanders in swimming, rowing, equestrian, road cycling and the women’s football team have their second match.

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Kiwi House blessed

Kiwi House in London has been formally blessed by New Zealand Olympic Team kaumatua, Amster Reedy, in a ceremony featuring a Ngati Ranana kapa haka performance especially designed to remind United Kingdom-based Kiwis of home.

The blessing took place just before the kick-off of the London Olympic Games Football tournament featuring New Zealand against Great Britain. Invited guests stayed to cheer on the New Zealand Olympic Team as they watched the live SKY television feed.

Kiwi House will open to the public on the 27th of July and will showcase the very best of New Zealand food, beverage, entertainment and sport. Internationally renowned New Zealand chef, Peter Gordon, will be the inspiration behind the menu. The venue, located in the heart of King’s Cross, will be a haven for friends and supporters of the New Zealand team and international visitors alike.

Tickets are now on sale, including the Kiwi House Gold Pass and special event tickets. The Kiwi House Gold Pass ensures priority entry for pass holders and is available for purchase from www.nz2012.com for £50 for the duration of Kiwi House.

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Heating up in London

The XXX Olympiad has been heating up with London blessed with more hot weather, and the New Zealand athletes now in training in the village.

The rowing team moved into their rowing and kayak satellite village and hosted the New Zealand media at their day house which is only 2kms from the rowing venue at Eton Dorney. They ventured to the lake for a further training row ahead of their competition which begins this Saturday with a full line-up of crews in action on the first day.

The swimming team had a second day in the marvellous new aquatic centre as they prepare for their competition that also starts on Saturday.

New Zealanders are involved in two further competitions that begin on Saturday. The equestrian team have returned to the village to ready themselves for the three-day, individual and team, eventing at Greenwich.

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