Elite New Zealand athletes gave IOC President Bach clear insight into what matters to them at the Olympic Games as the head of the international sporting movement concluded his two-day trip to New Zealand yesterday (Wednesday).
Mahe Drysdale (rowing), Rebecca Scown (rowing), Sarah Walker (BMX cycling) and Sam Webster (track cycling) among others highlighted their interest in the long-term sustainability of the Olympic Games and their place in it as athletes at an athlete forum with the IOC President at the Avantidrome in Cambridge.
The wider impact on athletes of the IOCs roadmap for the Olympic Movements known as Olympic Agenda 2020 was discussed by the 15 Cambridge-based athletes with gender balance, universality and event continuity vs change at the Olympic Games of particular interest.
President Bach, who had earlier in the day visited Rowing New Zealands high performance centre and a local primary school, said the athletes confirmed to him New Zealands overall commitment to the Olympic Games and the nations passion for sport. He underscored the importance of athletes remaining at the heart of the Olympic Movement and the need to balance elite performance with broad international representation at the Olympic Games.
New Zealand and the IOC share the same values, commitment and passion for sport, said President Bach.
President Bach had been welcomed to New Zealand on Tuesday with a traditional powhiri before meeting with New Zealand sporting leaders including Minister for Sport Dr Jonathan Coleman, heads of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Sport NZ and HPSNZ and representatives of New Zealands National Sporting Organisations.
The ongoing credibility, sustainability and focus on youth as outlined in the IOCs Olympic Agenda 2020 were discussed as well as preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO and Secretary General Kereyn Smith said President Bachs visit was an opportunity for sports and athletes to have their voice heard by key decision-makers within the Olympic Movement.
We were hearted to hear President Bachs ongoing commitment to athletes and a strong and relevant future for the Olympic Games, she said. We were also delighted to give our sports and athletes an opportunity to meet with the head of the international Olympic Movement as well as ensure New Zealands priorities and concerns were heard by key decision-makers.
President Bach now returns to Switzerland after spending time in Fiji, Vanuatu and New Zealand.
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