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A song written by a professional street musician has been named the official song of the New Zealand Olympic team for London 2012 as the countdown to the Olympic Games hits the 100 day mark. Sam RB, an Auckland singer/songwriter who can often be seen busking on Queen Street, will now be heading to London where she will meet athletes and perform at an official New Zealand Olympic Committee function just ahead of the opening of the Olympic Games. Sams song, along with nine competition finalists, will also be available to athletes in the Olympic village in London, as well as available for free public download from NZ2012.com. The competition, developed by the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the Play it Strange Music Trust, called for New Zealand musicians to write a song that would inspire our Olympic athletes and make New Zealand proud. More than 300 entries were received and 25,000 New Zealanders registered their vote for their favourite song. Athletes were also invited to take part in the voting. The winning song, Stand Tall, was produced in conjunction with well-known New Zealand musician Eddie Rayner and reflects the struggles and determination required to overcome challenges as well as the songwriters own pride in New Zealand. On hearing the news of her win, Sam said she was humbled by all the New Zealanders who got behind her song. I hope they consider Stand Tall their own, she said. I also hope Stand Tall moves all New Zealanders to be proud of our athletes and for the athletes themselves to feel supported by Kiwis around the world, she added. She said her experiences busking also influenced the song. I feel proud to be a New Zealander when Im busking and see the genuine love people have for our beautiful country. Sam RBs winning trip to London will be her first visit to the UK or Europe. Mike Chunn, Split Enz band member and CEO of Play it Strange acknowledged Sam RBs talent. Sam has achieved against the odds and Stand Tall, along with other songs she has written, show her to be a major talent. Music is important for many athletes, helping them focus, relax or remind them of home. In the Olympic Village guitars are freely available and played by athletes on a regular basis. London Olympic hopeful , sprint cyclist Sam Webster, agreed that music is important for athletes and says songs written for the team are special. Knowing the songs have been written especially for us makes us realize theres everyone at home backing us, Webster said. It makes us understand the achievement of actually making it to the Olympic Games. The New Zealand Olympic Committee celebrates 100 days to the Olympic Games tomorrow (Wed 18 April) with a street party and celebrity run in Wellington as well as the naming of two more Olympic teams at a function featuring Sam RB.

London 1908 Olympic Summer Games
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