NZ marks 100 day Olympic countdown

Wednesday 18 April marks 100 days to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games and athletes, school children, politicians and every-day Kiwis are marking the milestone.

Singer/songwriter Sam RB was announced as the winner of the Olympic songwriting competition with her song Stand Tall. Produced by Split Enz musician Eddie Raynor, the song was written to inspire athletes at the Olympic Games and make New Zealand proud.

In Wellington, Phil Goff takes on Sarah Ulmer and members of the Wellington Phoenix in a celebrity race up Thorndons Hill Street. A street party then gets underway featuring international Olympic-themed food stalls staffed by Wellington school children. The party is open to the public and also includes the Samsung Mobile Experience with its interactive Olympic displays, music and entertainment.

The Olympic team will grow once more as the New Zealand Olympic Committee names the triathletes to represent New Zealand at London and confirms who will lead our Olympic footballers into competition.

New Zealand Olympic Team Chef de Mission Dave Currie says the 100 day milestone is significant. London will be an outstanding games and we expect to see our 100th Olympic medal won. The venues and preparations are second to none and our athletes will make us proud.

The London Olympic Games open on 27th July 2012 and end on 12 August. New Zealand expects to send a team of around 200 athletes competing in 17 sports. To date 60 athletes have been selected in rowing, equestrian, sailing, canoe kayak and athletics.

London will be the first city to host the Olympic Games three times. New Zealand competed at both early editions of the Olympic Games in London. The first, in 1908, saw New Zealand win its first Olympic medal with a bronze by Harry Kerr in the 3500m walk. The second, in 1948, was the last time New Zealand sent athletes to the Olympic Games by ship.

New Zealand has won 90 Olympic medals to date (89 summer, one winter).

Team namings will continue until July.