A seventeen-year old from Balfour, Southland has been selected to represent New Zealand at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this August.
Jenna MacKenzie is a student at Northern Southland College and already held her place at elite junior competitions in Australasia and this year has broken numerous national junior records in 3P Sport, Air Rifle and 50 metre events. She came first equal in the Womens Prone event at the 2010 Australian Cup.
As a member of the New Zealand team to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in 2009 Jenna finished in fourth place. She went on to attend the Oceania Championships in Sydney the same year where he earned a quota spot for New Zealand at the Youth Olympic Games.
New Zealand Shooting Team Manager, Gavin Paton, is delighted that Jenna has been selected for New Zealand's first Youth Olympic Team. She is a young athlete with potential and the ability to compete well under pressure. Gaining experience at the Youth Olympic Games will help her progress towards major multi-sport events including the Commonwealth Games.
New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General Barry Maister said the Youth Olympic Games provide an important stepping stone in the development of young athletes. Jenna will benefit hugely from the Youth Olympic Games and we hope to see her continue to progress in her sport. The Youth Olympic Games focus on elite sport as well as the providing opportunities for learning and cultural activities at games time.
The inaugural Youth Olympic Games take place August 14 26 2010 and New Zealand expects to send a team of 53 athletes competing in 16 sports.
The Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will bring together 3,600 athletes between 14 and 18 years of age from all 205 National Olympic Committees to compete in the 26 sports on the London 2012 Olympic Games programme.
A culture and education programme will raise participants awareness of the Olympic values and topics such as healthy lifestyles and the fight against doping. A number of communications initiatives will link the youth of the world with the event. A culture programme will ensure a festive atmosphere within the host city.
To find out more about the Youth Olympic Games visit www.olympic.org/yog
To find out more about the NZOC please visit www.olympic.org.nz.
For more information please contact:
Ashley Abbott
Communications Manager
Ph: +64 9 3750040 extn 3
Mb: +64 21 552021
www.olympic.org.nz
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